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April 25, 2004
Jambo ange Watu,
in hopes that this message arrives, I sincerely hope that all who log on are
in the very best of health and spirits. I truly apologize for being away for so
long, but there is plausible explanation for I have been trying to further my
knowledge of the workings of the computer. I think this is an mandatory field
that people should be aware of and specifically the African American.
So, being the person that I am, that of displaying the capacity of “self
reach”. Being incarcerated is already a detriment to ones mental and
physical astuteness, and if those, who choose to remain docile and
dependent on their jailers to bring about their awareness or their capacity
to think critically are in for a rude awakening.
There is an enormous and overwhelming illiteracy rate among young and old
African American men and the situation is getting worse. These brothers are
so warped in their thinking that it hurts!! The real problem becomes
exasperated, when there seems to be no force of energy that will propel
them to re educate, redevelop or bring about personal change within
themselves. This is my observation within the institution that I am being
housed, but I think it is fair to say that throughout the prison complex in
California this type of behavior is the norm. More than 90% of these people
have parole dates that are scheduled to return to the same society which
has denied them true rehabilitation and this, my people, does everyone a
major disservice.
It seems as though we as lifers are stuck between two extremes – the need
to help or agitate the minds of those who are consciously dead and don’t
have a clue. The other extreme is in trying to advise those to start thinking
critically. One may become confrontational.
Let me explain in clearer terms: When I first started on my quest for
knowledge, my thirst was and is never quenched, but in acquiring it I was
taught that when you do grasp the concepts of true knowledge, you have to
be very careful in how you disseminate that knowledge, because people do
not want to feel inadequate in their lackness of knowledge.
My motto is that of talking to the people instead of talking at the people,
there is a very big difference and this is where that confrontation arises.
The inability of those who are aware to somehow disseminate information in
which it can „over-stood“. I like to use this term, because it places it in ist
correct form and that is to have an over-view of all the facts and not an
under-view. We have to be careful with what I term as „semantics gymnastics
“, the playing of words to distort their true meaning, such as the „Thirteenth
Amendment“.
The abolishment of slavery, „unless“! Need I go further!! These are the kind
of subtleties, that we as people and especially those of African descent
must extrapolate and think critically on to gain true clarity. People such as
Katja and Jane are some of the exceptions of the rule, because they are
willing to engage and over-stand the problems that exist in the African
American community. They are two women that I truly respect and admire
and am honored to call my „friends“. They are of European descent, but they
have the soul of what it means to be humane. This forum of which they have
extended to me can only be surmised as the righteousness of true people. I
say that to say this: wherever there is potential for alliance, we must
appreciate that kindness of extension that has been given to us.
Katja was my muse that is to say that, because of her I was able to reach
down within myself and extract that which has alluded me for many years
and that is to give of myself through poems, essays and articles. If on this
journey of my incarceration I hadn’t took the steps I had this un-tapped
talent would have been lost, so big ups to her.
What I have stated above is not prevalent within the institutions of
California and it appears that the cycle will continue. The battle right now as
I speak is for the minds of the youth and if that battle is lost, then we are
doomed to docility, dependence and most importantly annihilation of the
worst kind: the destruction of a people. This may sound grim to some, but
the way I see it that’s where we’re heading. I’m trying to do my part within
the belly of the beast and for those who have the opportunity to engage in
the efforts to try and curb this cycle, please take the time and agitate the
mind of the youth, its imperative!!
Well people, it is time again for me to go, but I’ll be back....and in signing off:
please, take care of you.
Think critically!
“Publish“
Sincerely, Thaddeus.
Copyright © Thaddeus Hamilton 2004
Thaddeus Hamilton # C-94517
4T-113
5150 O’Byrnes Ferry Road
Jamestown, CA 95327
Innocent In Prison - Founder
www.innocentinprison.org