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Finally reached my wall tonight. Just now got word that the college-in-prison program that I am a researcher on will not be able to have any classes this fall. It sucks for our research project which is important, but I'm really just gutted for our students.
These are people who have made poor decisions but haven't allowed that to define them. To get a degree in prison, all through in person classes from rigorous professors who teach at Notre Dame, that is not a small thing. These guys are tough, resourceful and talented.
In different circumstances these men would have been scholars, and artists, and entrepreneurs. These men made bad decisions, but they have also been victims of unequal health, education, and justice systems. Despite all of this they have been trying to rise above their past.
The United States locks up more of its minorities than any other country. More than China, more than Russia or any other dictotorship or communist country. And those prisoners are being forgotten in this pandemic. Tomorrow I will work on a new plan to continue our work.
But tonight I am angry. Many of these men knew about our project and looked forward to being part of it. They wanted their chance to talk about their experiences as students and scholars, for a chance to be something more than the criminals that society so easily dismisses.
Many of them are close to graduating and also close to release. They have worked hard to give themselves some kind of opportunity on the outside. To do better and be better this time around. I am sad for their missed opportunities. I am sad for their missed education.
But mostly I am angry that it didn't have to be this bad. If our pandemic response unit hadn't been dismantled. If wearing a mask hadn't been politcized. If we had a federal response. If our president wasn't too fragile to listen to scientists and let them lead. If, if, if...
