Wake Up
By: K. Shaun

Wake up,
To be honest, I'm hesitant to speak on specifics—not saying I don't want to help end the hopelessness of a lost generation that so many younstaz live in now. It's just I remember being out there. Thought I knew it all, wasn't trying to hear anything anyone was telling me. So as it takes a village and each one teach one, I've got to do my part.

I want my pen to serve something the next generation can sink their teeth into and think about, rethinking opportunities for redirection away from self-destruction and reckless conduct.

This is my life. Nothing I write is pretend; cold admission. I had people sprinkle me with gems. Didn't even realize it then, but, to this day, a couple of things stick out in my mind. Like, for example, old man Mr. Brown constantly telling me,

"Young blood, you better straighten up and fly right before you end up in tha penatention."

I knew we meant "penitentiary." It was so funny the way he said things, and I took it and him as a joke, not realizing the care he was showing me in those moments. Wasn't no joke.

The other gem came every time I left the house. And on the way out, my mom would say,

"Trouble easy to get into and hard to get out of."

And like a damn fool, I didn't listen. Should've read between the lines, but instead I missed what was hidden within the words of ole wisdom. And if I could do it all again, the last thing I would do is fight and refuse to allow them to plant the seeds of knowledge within my being.

Hardheaded me, I went a different route. In fact, let me paint it for you, a more vivid depiction of what I'm living before I ask you to ponder this question.

Could you handle being trapped in my cruel reality? WARNING: DO NOT PROCEED. You can't turn back if you follow me.

Arrested at 18 years old, convicted and sent to California death row at 20 years old, still hard to believe the situation that I find myself in. Yeah, it's true. Now I'm part of a new generation of inner city youth stranded on death row for street level accusations and never really had a chance to live my freedom. Taken, just like that. The irony is—I had at least thought—because I had never been in this kind or any trouble before, I wouldn't get such a harsh sentence. So much for "ignorance is bliss."

Think it can't happen to you? Take a good look at me. I was you, but truthfully, have you ever imagined being me? One of the many that have fallen. Victim to a systematic reasoning that states that I'm not fit to continue to live on Earth? I'm not in prison like others. I'm on death row which happens to be located inside of a prison where I have zero communication with others that have fallen to mass incarceration in America. Not even fit for prison, fit for death.

So called friends done left me for dead. My mom's the downest homie I have, even after all I put her through. And just like you, I gave my loyalty to the streets. In return, that didn't mean nothing, as the streets betrayed me. Out of sight, out of mind. No letters, ain't sent a dime. Even though I was loyal and put my life on the line. I could say more, and it still wouldn't scratch the surface. And I ain't said nothing that you already don't know.

But I'm just confirming your reality by matching it with my own. As you digest this message as it couldn't have been said better than Robert Nesta,

WAKE UP AND LIVE!!