Thank you. It's really appalling that the system has consistently refused the basic dignity of a meaning to life for incarcerated people, including education. People will argue that the system is meant to make people contemplate their lives, but it really is not true, and just seems to show the ignorance that almost everyone in america takes for granted.
You and many, many others in the united states are the exact people who need forgiveness, as you say, the most.
Hmm, your parting question is a deep one: "What do you think you'd Do, Be, Have [after escaping exile]???" (I really like your allusion to Homer's Odyssey.) I'm not sure how helpful my answer would be, since I have difficulty imagining such a long exile. Nevertheless, I'll try my best. I suppose the first thing I'd do is try to get established. I know each state has its own prison reentry programs. I'm not sure which ones are good, but hopefully at least some are. I'd check with a social worker for these programs, or perhaps check the internet. (The website https://helpforfelons.org/reentry-programs-ex-offenders-state/ lists reentry programs by state.) I'd probably be happy with a simple job, even if it weren't amazing, because I'd primarily be interested in trying new things. Visiting national parks, such as Shenandoah or Grand Teton National Park, would be exciting. Joining new clubs with new people would also be engaging. I hope my thoughts are somewhat helpful, or at least not unhelpful.
Alright, that's all for now, William. I'd enjoy reading your next response, should you write one. With your Odysseus reference in mind, I am tempted to label your responses as "travel logs". Anyway, take care, good luck, and--again, with the Odysseus reference in mind--bon voyage!
Unfortunately, as things stand, the world is far from shalom. It is shattered, as evidenced by the atrocities you mention: Indigenous Americans being deprived of their land, Africans being forced into slavery, and defendants being wrongly accused or poorly represented. We humans regularly fail to give others their proper due, and often in gastly ways. However we respond to being treated unjustly, it still stands that we were treated unjustly, at least as a historical fact.
That said, how we respond can be vital for our personal well-being and moral character. You mention "learning from experience" as the only rational response to being treated unjustly. That is an interesting position! I agree that education is sometimes the most rational response. But would you ever consider reaction--i.e. trying to change "external" conditions--as rational? For example, would you ever judge organizing against unjust working conditions as rational? Another way to put the point: How passive (or active) is "learning from experience" for you? I understand that education is often very active. But would you count trying to change "external" conditions as education? ("External" conditions include how others think and behave, how impersonal systems operate, and how nature operates absent human intervention.)
I think you're spot on that "Lady Justice is blindfolded for a reason". Reality involves so many competing claims to justice. How ought we to arbitrate between them? Society has only so many resources, and sometimes it is impossible to satisfy all claims to justice. Just consider these three kinds of injustice: Unfair healthcare practices, unfair police practices, and unfair housing practices. How much should society focus on each one? It cannot give 100% of itself to all of them. I often worry how to balance competing claims of justice. As I've heard, there are smart thinkers who try their best on these problems. I wonder whether they've found any interesting solutions. At any rate, it might be too difficult for society to focus on rectifying injustice, since government officials are not "held to the highest level of scrutiny", as you write.
I like your response to the $50 case. It's an interesting solution! Set the ground rules beforehand, and let those rules comprise the moral boundaries. "I'll hold your money and return it on request, only if you agree to an early withdrawal fee." The morally right actions are only those in keeping with your agreement.
Perhaps we humans underuse promises and contracts as a way to set moral constraints in advance. (We certainly misuse them!) A solid agreement can often prevent moral dilemmas from ever even arising. Maybe we humans fail to capitalize on this potential value.
Speaking of agreements, I want to mention social contract theory. Some of its famous proponents include Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, and--most recently--John Rawls. You might (or might not) be a fan of social contract theory. Here is its core idea: Widespread or universal social agreement can justify certain social arrangements. Just as individual contracts can sometimes justify individual arrangements, a social contract can sometimes justify social arrangements. For example, if society has widespread or universal agreement on instituting some tax, then it can justly do so, at least under normal circumstances.
Some thinkers disagree with social contract theory. They claim that social agreement cannot, in itself, justify social arrangements. It is something else that justifies certain social arrangements--for example, the fact that those arrangements would generate the greatest good. It seems like you might agree with this objection in some form or another.
I appreciate your clarification of "survival". I like that your concept is expansive and rich. It signifies a wholeness in life: "To Flourish and Prosper mentally, spiritually, personally, socially, ecologically, universally". Not enough people live their lives with the explicit, conscious aim of "survival", although perhaps everybody implicitly strives for it.
Your concept of survival reminds me of the Jewish concept of shalom. The author Cornelius Plantinga, brother to the famous philosopher Alvin Plantinga, powerfully explains what shalom is: "The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call shalom. We call it peace but it means far more than mere peace of mind or a cease-fire between enemies. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be." As you say about "survival", shalom is about "homosapiens [being] the best they can be".
Dear Jack, I'm so sorry I haven't sent anything in so long! I thought I did, but turns out I didn't. I'm so sorry. I'm okay right now. I'm getting ready for theatre season this summer. I auditioned for two plays three days ago. I'll find out this week what roles I'll have, so wish me luck! My mom just got a job. She's going to be teaching choir to kids over the summer, and she's a big music lover, so I'm really happy for her. I've been kind of flirting with this one guy off and on, and I don't know. I'll see him more this summer. I hope it goes well. How have you been lately? Have any big changes happened in your life recently? I haven't written poetry in a while. I've been really focused on writing stories and scripts lately, instead. I should write more poetry again, though. I love those poems you sent me! 'The Inside' is my favorite. Feel free to send me more, even if they're religious. I love art of all kind, and I think all religious art is beautiful. To answer your questions: 1) I believe in reincarnation and past lives. I think that after we die, our soul gets transferred to another creature's. 2) How do I see life? That's hard to say exactly. I guess I see it as a huge variety of opportunities. I never know what's coming next! 3) My mother has influenced my life so much. I love her a lot, and she means so much to me. 4) I hope not. I'd like to think that the world is actually going to get a lot better after this phase of hostility and controversy passes, but I'm not sure. 5) I think, we live in a world of abundance. It's not always easy to gain access to the things we need, but it is possible. 6) I've briefly mentioned to my mom and sister the concept of this website, and that I do write to somebody on here. They don't know about you specifically, though. I don't really talk to my mom or sister about most of my online friends, regardless of how I met them or who they are.
Questions for you! As always, if any of these are too personal, you don't have to answer them. 1) Have you told anybody in your life about me? 2) Do you consider yourself more of an optimist or a pessimist? (You seem like an optimist to me, but I'm curious as to what you think.) 3) What are/were your parents like? 4) Do you have any phobias? 5) What are some of your favorite words? 6) What were you like as a child?
That's all for now. Have a great day, and take care of yourself. You're an amazing, wonderful person. Be strong, keep going, don't stop smiling. -Grace
Michael, I finally found your blog again. Jon Saunders keep telling me that he wrote you, you wrote back but he could not get your reply. He is supposed to call me to find out how to get in touch with you. Just letting you know that he is still thinking about you and wants to keep in touch. Love you much
RSS
You and many, many others in the united states are the exact people who need forgiveness, as you say, the most.
Hmm, your parting question is a deep one: "What do you think you'd Do, Be, Have [after escaping exile]???" (I really like your allusion to Homer's Odyssey.) I'm not sure how helpful my answer would be, since I have difficulty imagining such a long exile. Nevertheless, I'll try my best. I suppose the first thing I'd do is try to get established. I know each state has its own prison reentry programs. I'm not sure which ones are good, but hopefully at least some are. I'd check with a social worker for these programs, or perhaps check the internet. (The website https://helpforfelons.org/reentry-programs-ex-offenders-state/ lists reentry programs by state.) I'd probably be happy with a simple job, even if it weren't amazing, because I'd primarily be interested in trying new things. Visiting national parks, such as Shenandoah or Grand Teton National Park, would be exciting. Joining new clubs with new people would also be engaging. I hope my thoughts are somewhat helpful, or at least not unhelpful.
Alright, that's all for now, William. I'd enjoy reading your next response, should you write one. With your Odysseus reference in mind, I am tempted to label your responses as "travel logs". Anyway, take care, good luck, and--again, with the Odysseus reference in mind--bon voyage!
Shabbat Shalom,
Calhoun25
Unfortunately, as things stand, the world is far from shalom. It is shattered, as evidenced by the atrocities you mention: Indigenous Americans being deprived of their land, Africans being forced into slavery, and defendants being wrongly accused or poorly represented. We humans regularly fail to give others their proper due, and often in gastly ways. However we respond to being treated unjustly, it still stands that we were treated unjustly, at least as a historical fact.
That said, how we respond can be vital for our personal well-being and moral character. You mention "learning from experience" as the only rational response to being treated unjustly. That is an interesting position! I agree that education is sometimes the most rational response. But would you ever consider reaction--i.e. trying to change "external" conditions--as rational? For example, would you ever judge organizing against unjust working conditions as rational? Another way to put the point: How passive (or active) is "learning from experience" for you? I understand that education is often very active. But would you count trying to change "external" conditions as education? ("External" conditions include how others think and behave, how impersonal systems operate, and how nature operates absent human intervention.)
I think you're spot on that "Lady Justice is blindfolded for a reason". Reality involves so many competing claims to justice. How ought we to arbitrate between them? Society has only so many resources, and sometimes it is impossible to satisfy all claims to justice. Just consider these three kinds of injustice: Unfair healthcare practices, unfair police practices, and unfair housing practices. How much should society focus on each one? It cannot give 100% of itself to all of them. I often worry how to balance competing claims of justice. As I've heard, there are smart thinkers who try their best on these problems. I wonder whether they've found any interesting solutions. At any rate, it might be too difficult for society to focus on rectifying injustice, since government officials are not "held to the highest level of scrutiny", as you write.
Hey William,
It's a joy to read your latest letter!
I like your response to the $50 case. It's an interesting solution! Set the ground rules beforehand, and let those rules comprise the moral boundaries. "I'll hold your money and return it on request, only if you agree to an early withdrawal fee." The morally right actions are only those in keeping with your agreement.
Perhaps we humans underuse promises and contracts as a way to set moral constraints in advance. (We certainly misuse them!) A solid agreement can often prevent moral dilemmas from ever even arising. Maybe we humans fail to capitalize on this potential value.
Speaking of agreements, I want to mention social contract theory. Some of its famous proponents include Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, and--most recently--John Rawls. You might (or might not) be a fan of social contract theory. Here is its core idea: Widespread or universal social agreement can justify certain social arrangements. Just as individual contracts can sometimes justify individual arrangements, a social contract can sometimes justify social arrangements. For example, if society has widespread or universal agreement on instituting some tax, then it can justly do so, at least under normal circumstances.
Some thinkers disagree with social contract theory. They claim that social agreement cannot, in itself, justify social arrangements. It is something else that justifies certain social arrangements--for example, the fact that those arrangements would generate the greatest good. It seems like you might agree with this objection in some form or another.
I appreciate your clarification of "survival". I like that your concept is expansive and rich. It signifies a wholeness in life: "To Flourish and Prosper mentally, spiritually, personally, socially, ecologically, universally". Not enough people live their lives with the explicit, conscious aim of "survival", although perhaps everybody implicitly strives for it.
Your concept of survival reminds me of the Jewish concept of shalom. The author Cornelius Plantinga, brother to the famous philosopher Alvin Plantinga, powerfully explains what shalom is: "The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call shalom. We call it peace but it means far more than mere peace of mind or a cease-fire between enemies. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be." As you say about "survival", shalom is about "homosapiens [being] the best they can be".
I'm so sorry I haven't sent anything in so long! I thought I did, but turns out I didn't. I'm so sorry.
I'm okay right now. I'm getting ready for theatre season this summer. I auditioned for two plays three days ago. I'll find out this week what roles I'll have, so wish me luck!
My mom just got a job. She's going to be teaching choir to kids over the summer, and she's a big music lover, so I'm really happy for her.
I've been kind of flirting with this one guy off and on, and I don't know. I'll see him more this summer. I hope it goes well.
How have you been lately? Have any big changes happened in your life recently?
I haven't written poetry in a while. I've been really focused on writing stories and scripts lately, instead. I should write more poetry again, though.
I love those poems you sent me! 'The Inside' is my favorite. Feel free to send me more, even if they're religious. I love art of all kind, and I think all religious art is beautiful.
To answer your questions:
1) I believe in reincarnation and past lives. I think that after we die, our soul gets transferred to another creature's.
2) How do I see life? That's hard to say exactly. I guess I see it as a huge variety of opportunities. I never know what's coming next!
3) My mother has influenced my life so much. I love her a lot, and she means so much to me.
4) I hope not. I'd like to think that the world is actually going to get a lot better after this phase of hostility and controversy passes, but I'm not sure.
5) I think, we live in a world of abundance. It's not always easy to gain access to the things we need, but it is possible.
6) I've briefly mentioned to my mom and sister the concept of this website, and that I do write to somebody on here. They don't know about you specifically, though. I don't really talk to my mom or sister about most of my online friends, regardless of how I met them or who they are.
Questions for you! As always, if any of these are too personal, you don't have to answer them.
1) Have you told anybody in your life about me?
2) Do you consider yourself more of an optimist or a pessimist? (You seem like an optimist to me, but I'm curious as to what you think.)
3) What are/were your parents like?
4) Do you have any phobias?
5) What are some of your favorite words?
6) What were you like as a child?
That's all for now. Have a great day, and take care of yourself. You're an amazing, wonderful person. Be strong, keep going, don't stop smiling.
-Grace
Mom