John Legend- The Ex-Felon Advocate
By Demond A. Jackson
The Grammy- award winning artist has publicly stated:
“We have a serious problem with incarceration in this country,” “It’s destroying families, It’s destroying communities and we’re the most incarcerated country in the world, and when you look deeper and look at the reasons we got to this place we as a society made choices politically and legislatively, culturally to deal with poverty, deal with mental illness in a certain way and that way usually involves using incarceration.”
The artist has officially launched a campaign, his campaign will include help from other artist. He’s planning on visiting state correctional institutions, co-hosting criminal justice events and starting an organization committed to ending mass incarceration.
JL: “I’m just trying to create some more awareness to this issue and trying to make some real change legislatively,” “And we’re not the only ones. there are senators that are looking at this, like Rand Paul and Cory Booker, there are other non-profits that are looking at this, and I just want to add my voice to that.”
The singer campaign has already rendered positive results, last year John legend supported Proposition 47 in California, which made shoplifting, forgery, fraud, petty theft and possession of small amount of controlled substances a misdemeanors instead of a felony offenses.
JL: “Once you have the tag felony on your name, its hard for you to do anything,” “Getting those reduced to misdemeanors really impacted a lot of lives and we hope to launch more initiatives like that around the country.”
As columnist and advocate for the empowerment of ex-felons, this Oscar Award winning artist empathy and compassion for a class of people who are extremely misunderstood and demonized is inspiring. Because the reality of majority of ex-felons in America is one of economic injustice, family dysfunction and the side effects of social ills plaguing our nation.
John Legend is a much needed advocate and it brings joy, just knowing he’s a soldier in the battle for fairness and equality for ex-felons in America.
My name is Otis Williams and I’m an ex-offender who who sincerely appreciate the work that you and John are doing.
I would love to contribute: I’m a Roosevelt graduate, public speaker and published writer.
I am a Media Artist My name is Mandell Smith,
http://www.cubbyholeict.yolasite.com
I was recently released from Florida D.O.C. after 30 months.
I have a program dream C.U.B.B.Y.H.O.L.E. (Creating Urban Built Businesses Yet Helping Others Learn Economics)
Please help our campaign to fight Depression, Suicide, bullying and to Create Jobs, especially for Felons and ex cons.
I am also raising money to get my children out of foster care in florida. I am not in trouble, Their Mother had a situation and the kids were taken. Now I have the chance to get them and be granted full custody.
https://www.gofundme.com/dreamcubbyhole
Please come see what I am doing so you know its real. I dont have anyone so I came to go fund and social media.
If your for this positive cause and you check out my site and like what you see (alot more is coming soon) then please dont hesitate to send me a request.
If this isnt within your heart then I understand and thanks for taking time for me us today.
I really appreciate you. Even though we havent formally met I am willing to open a dialog and see if there is a mutual goal we can reach together