For anyone that by great chance, would read this post, you should know that Chuck lost his fight against the death penalty of his state.
Until Americans understand the cruelty of the death penalty, elderly Americans will continue to be executed, after decades of incarceration. It is not the same person who is executed compared to the person who committed the capital crime.
BTB do not forward this email, Chuck is gone. Please don't remove his mark here either. I knew Chuck through interaction outside this website, and I respected him. Charles fought for life up until the end.
Chuck's powerful last words can be read on the internet; they reflect a man who deeply regretted his actions, wished healing for his victim's survivors, and recognized the sovereignty of his God.
D- The 2 people inside I referenced are M & B. M, inside editor (I also had an outside editor), entered the system as a child & once inside the system, through negative interactions with other inmates, was sentenced under his state's 3-strike law. You are aware, I vehemently oppose 3-strike & virtual life laws because they oppose the diversity and the uniqueness of every human, their situational and experiential history, & the ideal of rehabilitation. M & I have corresponded for 8 yrs. He is the largest contributor to my book, a reflection on spirituality in the American prison system. M saw 2 of 5 re-writes and his editing took the form of commenting on inmate writings as well as analyzing what I had to say about his writings. What I did was combine writings inside over 3 years, quotes of scripture, and the teachings of religion. Over 5 re-writes that took about 2 years, I spent another 6 months gaining approval to actually publish. This involved writing and providing copies to specific individuals with a vested interest in the use of church writings on human justice & development (social teaching). I did not count, but I'd guess there are 50 contributors inside that write on spirituality and how the system works in reality. Names and places are redacted when necessary. Individuals are unidentifiable. The project began as a series of speaking engagements where I "humanized" (ACK) those people on the inside that those outside didn't see with empathy. As my work progressed, I was talking about the project in correspondence when B, the 2nd person (LWOP in the state of LA, corresponding 5 yrs), wrote this, and I quote. "About your book on prison spirituality. Oh, how I dislike the term 'offender.' Security keeps making up terms for us! The only reason I can see for this is that it attempts to hurt or mentally injure us. I can see being called an inmate or a prisoner because those are the things we are: we live here, involuntarily. Captive captures the involuntary nature of incarceration. Convict implies guilt. Believe it or not, not everyone here is guilty, at least for what they were charged with, took a plea for, or were found guilty of. Yes, technically convictions were made, but how is the term more correct than 'prisoner'? Offender, in a similar way, implies we are somehow lesser than or less deserving of respect because the accusations against us stuck." After considering B's words, I understood the truth in the bias inherent in the words we choose. In my 4th re-write, it was time to remove the word as cleanly as possible in 277 of 300 uses, leaving those references included in direct quotations, discussion of victims, or for inmate rule breakers inside the gates. Based on the way the 277 references were used, if it was someone inside who used it referring to someone else inside, I used inmate; it is was someone on the outside referencing someone inside, I used prisoner. If it was me referencing a pen pal, I used captive. I'm complex, no? FJP
D- I understand your appreciation of AI that recognized your deft use of rhetoric, logic, and wit. However, although a mechanical analysis of a dialogue may reveal broad brush perceptions about the participants, it fails to see its effect on casual observers. Words not used about T: troll, hater, vitriol, obsession, bully, etc. Further, what those posts did to people who know you as an author, or even in real life (family, CO's, tier people) was lost on Grog which only analyzed the data. I'm not stealing your thunder, but all those observations made by AI were already revealed to other participants/witnesses in that exchange. My conclusion is that it is a nice parlor trick. The only thing that I wondered about was that I had always pegged T as female, just like Grog did. The name itself does not reveal anything about the identity of the poster. I wonder if words actually revealed more about the identity than simple a pen name? This seems like a weakness of posting on bulletin boards, hiding behind a screen name. You know my real name and where I live because of our outside BTB association. So, I am accountable for my words. T was not brave enough to be responsible for he/she/their words. It's a known fact online bullying is increased when hiding identity. When T made it personal, you faced that with grace. I did not. I will credit you with that. You knew W as more than a "handle." Did T know W, or was W just to them, another BTB poster? I mean, we knew W as well because BTB posters are revealed in the screening process and transparent to the outside; I'm saying did T know W as a real life person? Alternately, was W just another reason to rant and rave about you; I found T pedantic, not you; Grog got that wrong. That post exchange about W from you was entirely unique as two BTB posters who knew each other outside cyber life, where the rest of us exist. In the vernacular, for us, the "fourth wall came down." Yes, AI is interesting and I have used it sparingly. However, it has given me faulty information in my research, which later was revealed in my checking of primary sources. It was not at fault however, because DATA is so prolific and as the old saying goes, "garbage-in, garbage out." AI will develop over time, but caution is urged for its technical use. Like reading a magic 8 ball, a horoscope, or going to a fortune teller, some details will hit, perhaps more than those parlor tricks, but still...it is inexact. Can an algorithm see the human person? Not yet. Finally, what has Grog surmised about me, a public persona? It is all very heebie-jeebie to me. Even Icon's sharing with you is an electronic output to hard text exchange, another level of possible inaccuracy. Ack (sorry/not sorry) for the observation. If you reply to this post, please tell me if you know how many years, we have been in communication. You are aware our exchange has survived multiple handles because of my password issues over the years. Are we communicating a decade, D? J-
I really like your artwork. The engraving-style piece, with its strong Egyptian figures and the powerful Black woman standing front and center, is striking. I especially appreciate how you placed her so confidently between the warrior and the chariot — it feels intentional and powerful.
The words “NOT LIKE” arched at the top give it a strong, almost defiant statement. It makes me stop and think.
You have a really clean, classic style that reminds me of old book illustrations, but with a clear modern message behind it. It’s impressive work, especially doing it from inside.
Thank you for sharing it. I’d love to see more of your art if you post any.
I understand how discouraging it must feel to keep pouring your heart into writing when it often feels like no one is listening or responding. That silence can make even the strongest writers want to stop. So please know that your words are being read and appreciated.
Your poetry has a real voice, and I’m happy to share your blog address with a few poetry lovers I know who enjoy thoughtful, honest writing and will actually take the time to read and comment.
Keep writing. Your work matters, and there are people out here who want to hear it.
RSS
Until Americans understand the cruelty of the death penalty, elderly Americans will continue to be executed, after decades of incarceration. It is not the same person who is executed compared to the person who committed the capital crime.
BTB do not forward this email, Chuck is gone. Please don't remove his mark here either. I knew Chuck through interaction outside this website, and I respected him. Charles fought for life up until the end.
Chuck's powerful last words can be read on the internet; they reflect a man who deeply regretted his actions, wished healing for his victim's survivors, and recognized the sovereignty of his God.
R.I.P.,my Brother.
I really like your artwork. The engraving-style piece, with its strong Egyptian figures and the powerful Black woman standing front and center, is striking. I especially appreciate how you placed her so confidently between the warrior and the chariot — it feels intentional and powerful.
The words “NOT LIKE” arched at the top give it a strong, almost defiant statement. It makes me stop and think.
You have a really clean, classic style that reminds me of old book illustrations, but with a clear modern message behind it. It’s impressive work, especially doing it from inside.
Thank you for sharing it. I’d love to see more of your art if you post any.
Keep creating,
Lisa
I understand how discouraging it must feel to keep pouring your heart into writing when it often feels like no one is listening or responding. That silence can make even the strongest writers want to stop. So please know that your words are being read and appreciated.
Your poetry has a real voice, and I’m happy to share your blog address with a few poetry lovers I know who enjoy thoughtful, honest writing and will actually take the time to read and comment.
Keep writing. Your work matters, and there are people out here who want to hear it.
Wishing you continued strength and inspiration,
Lisa