Rikers
A Letter to the United States of America
by
Sylvester Lawrence Jackson II
Dedicated to Sammy W. and the Family
We the people do hereby proclaim that upon entering the facility known as Rikers Island the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" no longer applies to any citizen within these United States of America. It is self-evident that not all men or women are created equal nor do they have inalienable rights such as our right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
It would seem that in our country we've built statues and memorials commemorating equal rights, freedom, and justice for all. When in fact souls have been lost on the Island of Death. Men and women are being held behind bars for months and sometimes years before going to trial.
Aren't those the same reasons that the founding fathers seceded from England? What happened to a speedy trial by an impartial jury? Or are we to assume that the Bill of Rights ceases to exist upon entering Rikers Island?
On November 18, 2023, I attended a memorial service for the souls lost to Rikers. As I stood listening to the names being read, it reminded me of the names being read during the 911 memorial service. Standing underneath the Washington Square archway, I happened to look up. There glistening in the sun was the Freedom Tower and I suddenly realized that the men’s and women's names I was listening to would never know what freedom was because not only had Rikers taken their freedom, Rikers had taken their lives.
If we look at our history as a country, America has always taken freedom from others. I've got a constant reminder within my own family's history, being a direct descendant of Native American Indians who were forced to live on reservations and African-Americans who were torn from their native homes and forced into slavery.
My family suffered at the hands of white Americans, but we were strong and resilient enough and fought through the horrors and evil atrocities inflicted upon us.
At 63 years old, I'll be the first to tell you of my love for my country. My father and I both served in America's military. Every member of our family is a proud American. Still, as Americans, we are aware of our rights, such as our right to free speech and free assembly and our inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness.
Honestly, how many Americans are truly happy with all the wars and protests, the killings of our citizens, and the deaths of children on a daily basis?
Capital punishment, solitary confinement, and lethal injections are part of the norm in today's American society. Our country proudly displays a statue of Justice which has a blindfold over her eyes. Its simple meaning is that Justice is blind. Are we so blinded to the fact that ignorance, prejudice, and hatred are crimes against humanity? Then how should humanity be judged? Humanity towards others after all is the key to life. How will history judge America?
Sylvester “Sonny” Lawrence Jackson II is a writer and retired Marine. As many of you know, Sonny is one of the most important members of our writing workshop for people returning from incarceration.Make it stand out
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