“What then? Free them all, and keep them among us as underlings? Is it quite certain that this betters their condition? But once freed, could they be made ‘politically and socially’, our equals? My own feelings will not admit of this; and if mine would, we well know that those of the great mass of white people will not. Whether this feeling accords with justice and sound judgment, is not the sole question…. A universal feeling, whether well or ill-founded, can not be safely disregarded.” (Abraham Lincoln)
Hmm…. Interesting how I am reading about the election and administration of Abraham Lincoln as the first Republican President of the United States of America and how many people who were avid supporters for ending slavery still supported the Black Code laws that prohibited blacks from serving as jurors, voting, or marrying outside of their “race”. Even Lincoln felt that blacks could never be equals to whites politically and socially.
This reminds me of the prejudice that ex-felons/returning citizens face today in society. Once a person is convicted of a felony, according to the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution, they can be subjected to slavery and involuntary servitude, in most states they can never exercise their 2nd Amendment right to arm themselves, nor can they exercise their 15th Amendment right to vote in elections. As Lincoln stated, it doesn’t matter whether or not it accords with justice and sound judgment. As long as it is an universal feeling, whether well or ill-founded, it cannot be safely disregarded.
It makes me wonder about those today advocating for the end of mass incarceration and breaking the school-to-prison pipeline. How many of them really want returning citizens returning to live in their perspective communities, how many of them will hire ex-felons? Just my thoughts!
Halim A. Flowers
Ideallionaires.tumblr.com
ConvictSoapBox.com
CriminalU.co
DOB- 09-01-80
Washington, D.C.
30 years to life
Contact Information-
Halim Flowers
#11967-007
Federal Correctional Institution Gilmer
P.O. Box 6000
Glennville, West Virginia 26351
My name is Halim Flowers and I am an author, poet, blogger(CriminalU.co), and at-risk youth advocate. I have been incarcerated for 18 years, since I was 16 years of age for aiding and abetting a felony murder in a case where I was not the shooter and the person charged as the gunman had his case dismissed and was never tried for this offense. I know it sounds crazy but it is my destiny for now and I embrace. My passion in life is learning and helping to enlighten and inspire others, especially helping to develop the character and lives of young men. I was featured in an Emmy award winning documentary about my experiences as a child at the adult D.C. Jail titled "Thug Life In DC"(See Thug Life In DC at YouTube) and I have authored nine books in the genres of self-help, prisoner reform, juvenile justice, memoir, and poetry(See Halim Flowers at Amazon.com). I very contrite for my past criminal offenses and seriously committed to helping our youth to understand "Victim's Impact" and breaking the "school-to-prison pipeline".