Dec. 9, 2012
by Christopher Trotter (author's profile)

Transcription

11-19-12

Dear Outside World,
Are men supposed to cry? We live in a society which says men are supposed to be strong, emotionless creatures, and that macho attitude is further perpetuated in prison. When a man first comes to prison, he is told; "Man up, show no fear, and shed no tears." You are to become a prison-being instead of a human-being. You are to become a soul that cries no more.
Prison is a very dehumanizing and demoralizing environment. It's where they transform you from a human-being into a prison-being, and treat zou like an animal in a cage. To characterize a prison-being is living in an environment of dogs, rats, snakes, and lucid pussy cats. Can you imagine that? These are human-beings that I am talking about. They have become living souls that cry no more.
Here recently I did an interview for MSNBC Lock-Up titled "Sticks and Stone," and there was a scene where I was shown crying. Now I'm pretty sure most people -especially prisoners watching that scene of the crying- probably thought I was being a big wuss. That after ten (10) years of being confined in a windowless cell twenty-three (23) hours a day, that I was just happy for prison officials releasing me off isolation unit after such a long time. But what they did know was that I was rejoicing in the fact that I did not allow the negative environment of the lock up unit to dehumanize me. The fact that I could be man enough to cry went to confirm that I was not dead inside. My tears and my fears don't comprimise my strength. I'm strong but human!
I would advise men, especially men in prison not to be afraid to cry. Because the tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives. Don't be a soul that cries no more.
Peace inside,
Christopher Trotter

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Replies (4) Replies feed

candleships Posted 11 years, 11 months ago. ✓ Mailed 11 years, 10 months ago   Favorite
I just finished the transcription for your post about the "machoness" of crying, and I fully agree with the viewpoint you shared. I think an important lesson to keep in mind is that when we were infants, crying was one of our only forms of communication, and it could mean so many different things; feed me, hold me, I'm tired, I'm hurt, I'm angry, I'm sad. From the very instant one is born, crying is a sign of BEING ALIVE. But somehow, as we leave childhood and reach the realm of adulthood, it means almost exactly the opposite. I don't think people realize the power of crying as a step in the process of healing. Crying is a universal language, and can mean so many things, and I completely agree that we should not shun in in our society, instead work on accepting it as part of our global (human) culture.

Keep writing!
--CBB (candleships)

dutchess2 Posted 11 years, 8 months ago. ✓ Mailed 11 years, 8 months ago   Favorite
I think Chris deserves another chance

mariam.sy Posted 10 years, 2 months ago. ✓ Mailed 10 years, 2 months ago   Favorite
Hey I'm Marian and I just wish you the very best and hope you continue staying strong and remember every thing you see in this awful word has a ending and people get second chances I wish you the best.!!!!!

mariam.sy Posted 10 years, 2 months ago. ✓ Mailed 10 years, 2 months ago   Favorite
PS I hate reading lol but if theres a movie about it I'll watch lbvs....

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