One Down, Three To Go
Here’s a bit of seemingly unrelated news: I got my contributor’s copy of Beyond the Rhetoric of Pain [Routledge], for which I wrote the chapter “Toward a Working Definition of Mopecore,” today! Here’s its relation, though: I remembered in rereading it that I wrote a little bit on Antonio Battle from the summer of 2017, from the first few months of my workshop at Rikers:
I teach a writing workshop at Rikers Island for men over 40 years old, almost all of them black. Of my regulars, one is still a loudmouth …talking over me, spitting out improvised lines in response to our readings, and always pushing the others to lift their consciousness. He once, in a moment of quietude, ruminated about a hallway that divides the main building of the facility—younger inmates going one way and older inmates going the other—and how he’s spent much of his life since he was 16 years old going down one hallway, then later the next.
Now, over the past week, I’ve asked Antonio to write a bit each day that he might like to share, and I’ve transcribed his words over the phone while he’s stuck at Rikers until March 11. I’m giving some pieces here that I think are reflective of the drastic shifts and dynamics in his psyche while incarcerated for an administrative oversight:
2/19/19
While thinking about the systemic breakdown of people devastated by unemployment, economic abandonment, social neglection, and unfair incarceration, I was reminded how use of state power by neo-conservatives and neo-liberals are used to blindside our country and state, and has remained ongoing by Republicans and Democratic administrations who are, on the most part, not acknowledged or examined in our nation’s public discourse. This is a few out of many of my present concerns that have inspired me to move forward with creating a genuine and diligent movement capable of assisting with creating positive change and dismantling such a brutal and controlling system. Please know that if we fail to cultivate an ethic of genuine compassion for all of humanity, the system of brute control will continue to exist, leaving so many people whom have been affected in the dark. Now is the time for a new revolution. Are you ready?
2/20/19
While the Daily News, dated from 2/16/2019, I stumbled across an article based on Governor Cuomo shutting down three more state prison facilities. The article stated that the cause of the prisons being shut down is because the state is faced with a possible billion dollar budget shortfall. More than likely, the three prisons will close in some degree due to the decline of the prison population. Reason being, is because since the last thirty years or so the number of prisoners has declined below 47,000. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why New York State Corrections Parole Division is locking so many parolees up for technical violations. No new crimes committed—just technical violations. Whereas, on the most part, jail or prison time is not required. So, my question is, Why are they doing it? And, what should we do about it?
2/22/19
Everybody needs somebody sometime. It has nothing to do with race, shade, tone, or color of skin. Let’s sit right here and converse while traveling the universe in total harmony, my friends. Though we have never physically met, somehow I sense that I have always known you. So tell me, how can I assist you with your cause? For the cause that everybody needs somebody sometime.
2/25/19: “Lately”
Lately, I’ve been reminded of the harsh undertakings of my past. I thought I forced myself to fully erase the memory of my mental and emotional state. I’ve grown so tired of the constant struggles I’m faced with on a daily basis. Living life has not been at all easy for me. Nowadays, I just strive to survive within it, trusting that before I meet my final demise, I be afforded an opportunity to live life free from so much difficulty of unwanted thoughts and feelings.
The next time you experience regrets, problems, fears, weaknesses, pain, suffering, hurt, lack of love, care, appreciation, and relationships that cause you to undergo a degree of concern, worry, frustration, disappointment, anger, depression, and anxiety, get up. Turn your TV on, and watch the news. Then count your blessings and be sure to thank God for them.
In concluding, right now I have about three weeks left until the end of this whole situation. I could really use some company.
So here’s a quick, human action: write Antonio Battle a letter. Say hello, express your support, remind him of the community that cares what happens to him. His address is:
Antonio Battle
Booking & Case #3491900821
Eric M. Taylor Center (EMTC)
10-10 Hazen Street
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
Re/Creation is now running a fundraiser from July 12-31 with limited edition t-shirts and coffee mugs featuring Antonio Battle’s work. Please considering buying one (or more!). All funds will go to Antonio as he continues to struggle and strive in his work and in his reentry.