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A Question
This is Spoon Jackson at Solano prison. Feel free to write me, get lonely in here and your feedback is good for inspiration. This poem is titled “Question.” Education is a friendship. You treat it… Full Transcript
Walking in the Dark
“Walking in the Dark.” For years, it has been difficult for me to write or speak about myself. Other people’s stories seem to more interesting until now. Several weeks ago, as I was walking along… Full Transcript
Pissed Off
In my commentary entitled “My Life Is Worth Just As Much As Yours” I spoke about a 21-year-old young man I took under the wing because of how bad he wanted to change and better… Full Transcript
Eddie Africa, Free
“Eddie Africa Free.” The news came through like a beam in the night. Eddie Africa has been released today. Eddie Africa, MOVE member and survivor of the August 8th, 1978 MOVE confrontation in Philadelphia, was… Full Transcript
Paws For Life 2
“Paws For Life 2.” The new group of dogs have come and gone. There were 10 dogs this time. All 10 with their own way of doing things. All 10 just wanting to be loved.… Full Transcript
Stricken
“Stricken” by Spoon Jackson. I remember that Sunday morning tune, you snapping snap beans for dinner while rock doves cooed in the Oak trees. I thought you were the strongest person ever. I thought you… Full Transcript
Every Little Bit Counts
I was recently in the law library getting copies of the federal lawsuit I prepared to challenge, among other thing, doctor’s decision denying my request for approval to form a prison chapter of my UFD… Full Transcript
Toxic Prisons
“Toxic Prisons.” Several years ago, the Workers World newspaper publihed an article of mine entitled “Jailhouse Environmentalist.” It told the tale of a prisoner named Bryant Arroyo, a man who responded to the planned placement… Full Transcript
Bryant Arroyo Speech for Fourth Annual Toxic Prison Conference
Fourth annual convergence, Fight Toxic Prisons, North Central College. I’d like to start off by saying that it is a great pleasure and honor to share in the fourth annual Fight Toxic Prisons convergence in… Full Transcript
Don’t Fear Death More Than the Creator of Life
Uh, this is called, “Death.” I feel like, for so long, we’ve been taught the fear of dying. For whatever reason, I don’t know, everybody’s scared to die, and I feel like it’s the one… Full Transcript
Decarcerate Us Pt. 2
This is James Ward again, AKA J. The last time I was on here I spoke on my project called “Decarcerate Us” and other things I’ve been going through since I’ve been in here. So,… Full Transcript
The Truth Hurts but TRUE Works
In my last commentary, I talked about the TRUE program in the Cheshire Correctional Institution in Connecticut. It’s a program where young prisoners, 18 to 25 years old, are housed together along with a small… Full Transcript
Super Mouse
I have forgotten how slick and comping the Lancaster mice were. How they shape shift from one dimension to another and ease through cracks so small one cannot see them. One mouse had- has now… Full Transcript
Decarcerate Us
First off, I like to give my appreciation to those on the outside for the doing what you do to help us prisoners, however little or big. But to introduce myself, my name’s James Ward,… Full Transcript
Eyes-Passing of a Healer
“Eyes-Passing of a Healer.” The name Dr. Patricia Bath is perhaps unfamiliar with you as it was to me just a few days ago, but a colleague shared obituaries from several newspapers, and I could… Full Transcript
UFD is the original TRUE
Two days ago, I received an article entitled quote, “How Scott Semple Helped Turn Connecticut’s Prisons Into a Nationally Recognized Laboratory of Reform,” end quote, which was posted @wwdotconnecticutmag.com. I had just come back to… Full Transcript
MOVE Women: Janet and Janine Africa Free at Last
“MOVE Women: Janet and Janine Africa Free at Last.” For two MOVE women, Janet and Janine Africa, it had been decades since they walked the streets of Philadelphia or rode in a car. Decades? Yes.… Full Transcript
Permanent Political Seasons
“Permanent Political Season.” It’s political season. When politicians come around and promise happy days are coming, a chicken in every pot and a dessert of iced sugar plums to come, they smile. They prance. Some… Full Transcript
The Struggle Continues
I’m a man of action. So it bothers me I’m stuck in prison and thus limited in the impact I can make in this world to help myself, help my family, and to help others.… Full Transcript
“Holiday Peals and Nightmare Groans.” Bells ring, and politicians preen as the 4th of July comes around. They and their corporate media all hail the day as a celebration of universal liberty, that essential thing… Full Transcript