Letter From A Prisoner:

I heard a sermon once entitled, “What in hell do you want?” And I’d like to borrow from it. “What in prison do you want?”

Too many young people are wasting their lives away as if they are imprisoned like me. I often wonder what is it that I could do to educate the masses of young people who think there is any glory in the streets.

Well, let me begin by saying, “Real hustlers hustle to be square.” You may think that is an oxymoron, but think about it. Nobody but a fool is in “the game” just to be in the “game.” People get into the game because they do not have the wherewithal to make ends meet any other way. At least that is what they think. But can I tell you there is no “game.” This thing is real.

And, you know, it is ironic because as soon as those same people are placed in prison they realize they have so much potential, so much talent! Man, you don’t have to come to jail to recognize that your worth, your abilities, your gifts. The reason you don’t recognize out there is because you don’t take the time to check out yourself. You are too busy checking out somebody else, trying to fit in, trying to be like, instead of being who you are. Do you hear what I’m saying?

Let me say this and then I’m going to leave you alone for this morning. You don’t need anybody to validate you. Right now, take the time to look at yourself in the mirror and say, “When God made me, He was just showing off!” And He was. Know that you are important, that you have immeasurable value.

Submitted by,

Robert Howard, 47 years in confinement

 

The Other side of Coin

Robert Howard
Robert Howard is a 62 year old black male from New Orleans, La. At the age of 15 he was convicted of murder and has been incarcerated over than 47 years. Robert's primary goals in life are twofold: to let young people, espescially at risk youth know the is help in Christ, and, secondly, to do whatever he can to steer them away from jail and prison.