Month: September 2023 Page 11 of 14

9/07/2023 – Class Notes

On September 7, 2023

Today we started by discussing our Prep Notes posted prior to class on the first nine chapters of Writing Our Way Out.

Touching on the point of identity in the course, why is this novel a good example of how we sense other people’s identities? (I drew this as the theme for the class.)

What is the story of how this book got made? David Coogan, a Dr. at VCU recruits prisoners to write their stories, turning them into a memoir, ultimately helping the offenders develop for their future selves, and drawing insights to the lives of convicts. Coogan’s goal was to put their memoirs together, but did it rather unconventionally. Something we may be able to ask Coogan is what was his thinking when structuring the book. Some things we brainstormed in class is that David could be the connector between the men, and by telling the stories back to back, the reader can identify the parallels between each of the men’s stories. David was able to ask them questions that they’ve never had to answer, like “when did you make this conscious decision to lead this lifestyle?” Kaylee pointed out that by breaking the memoirs up piece by piece, the reader is able to understand the relationship between Coogan and the men, and how their relationship develops throughout the course. It also gives a perspective of how the writers grow into their emotions throughout their lifetime (Will Sheets).

No such thing as pure objectivity, like there used to be in journalism and now in science.

Creative nonfiction: paradox within itself; has aspects of truth and accuracy

Phrases in quotes in the memoir (like Stan’s on page 44) demonstrates that maybe it was actually said rather than paraphrased (or maybe it was what Coogan remembered). As readers, we can’t be totally sure.

break for telephone game

Even though some quotes are paraphrased, it holds meaning because it made its way into the book by Coogan.
Brings back to the question: Is this story true?

Next, we took a look at the dates from when these stories were accumulated. It started in 2006 and ended in 2011, following the men’s lives in their journey back to freedom. Coogan typed their handwritten drafts and also gave them their “cleaned up” versions of their first stories. Coogan incorporates these teachable moments, but notices he has to sacrifice them at the “sentence level,” which allows him to focus on the story overall, not punctuation, grammar, spelling, etc. Professor Dolson has us look at the end of the introduction that highlights the fact that many employers will still not hire ex-convicts.

Takeaways from stories:

The early ages that these traumatic incidents had on the men.
The effect that memories have on these instances, little kids aren’t just “turnips in car seats.

Break to share stories about the “moment we decided to be “____”. It’s not simple to decide who you want to be, or what you want to do. For some people there was a distinct moment where they realized what it was, for some it was a gradual decision over a long period of time, and some just didn’t know how to explain it.

How does language, and the evolution of language, help to make meaning and allow other people to understand it? Clogan studies rhetoric and communication studies, but focuses on this population because he wanted to raise awareness for the reentry of ex-offenders. “The workshop offered the prisoners a chance to reclaim their life in writing” (1). Reclaiming the life that was taken from them, reclaiming the fact that they are humans and still deserve respect, despite what they have gone through.

Listening to each prisoner’s story before finding out their convictions allows us to empathize more and accept each person for who they are and not focus on their crimes. Ana points out that finding out their convictions after hearing all of their stories and still being able to accept them is a very powerful deed.

Professor Dolson talks about how this book will connect with our project in the spring, and how we will grapple with getting to know convicts of our age, and whether or not we will want to know the reasons for being incarcerated or not. We will begin writing a critical analysis essay by pulling quotes from the book (compost heap), so it is important that we identify quotes/people whose stories we want to use and analyze. Reread pages 2-3 in order to draw conclusions from the text and find a theme for the critical analysis essay. By telling their stories, do the prisoners reclaim their agency, or even regain respect from society?

Follow up: what is coming up for you right now (either in the book or in life in general)?

Mine personally is that this book is very similar to the T.V. show “Orange is The New Black.” If you’ve never seen the show, it has a very similar plot line to this novel. It begins by focusing on a character and showing a small piece of their life, most of the time before they go to prison. Oftentimes, the reason would be unfair and I have a feeling at the end of this novel I will feel the same way as I did when I finished the show.

Prep Note – 9/07/2023

By Mitchell Parker

On September 7, 2023

In Mitch, prep note

The first few chapters of Writing Our Way Out pleasantly surprised me; I hadn’t seen this idea done anywhere else and I like how it was all put together and executed. The individual writing styles, ideas, thoughts, and ways of life from everyone that contributed to the piece, as well as how Coogan strung them all together with his own writing in between, makes it one of the most interesting pieces I’ve read in quite a while.

The sheer amount of raw perspectives given over the span of a hundred or so pages is incredible, and I’d think it would be hard for a book composed by multiple people all with different backgrounds focused on storytelling not to be. I know that I already see things in a slightly different way now that I’ve been exposed to this work, mostly because I’ve spent more time thinking about the content than I have exclusively reading the book.

Prep Note 9/7

By Ana Michaelis

On September 7, 2023

In Ana, prep note

I have enjoyed reading the first part of Writing Our Way out. David Coogan does an incredible job of sharing these men’s stories, and coming in and out of the present and the past. It is just astonishing that every single one of these men had dealt with some type of major trauma before going to jail, and it furthers the point that past trauma and committing crimes are linked. Many just do what had been done to them, and obviously these actions are inexcusable, but it furthers the point that the way the jail system is set up in this country is demeaning and unproductive. If legislators and people who ran this country genuinely wanted to improve society the system would be different.

Reading this makes me recognize my privilege. I am blessed to never have dealt with the generational trauma that these men go through, but it also means as people who are privileged, it is our responsibility to advocate and care for those who cannot do it for themselves.

Prep Notes – 9/7/23

By Nicholas Gunn

On September 7, 2023

In Nick G, prep note

I surprisingly enjoyed the first half of Writing Our Way Out. To be honest, I definitely am not the biggest fan of reading but I felt like I flew through the pages. At first, I thought the title Writing Our Way Out would entail something along the lines of the inmates retelling the story of their crimes and accepting the reality of their actions and the consequences. I did not expect to go so in-depth into the trauma of each of their childhoods. What struck me was that although the inmates all had some sort of childhood trauma, each one of their traumas differed slightly. Some were about getting hooked on drugs at a young age, some were about parental figures and even one about his journey with homosexuality. Each inmate had a story and it was apparent to see how they were led down the wrong path by their unfortunate home environment. I think the story that stuck with me the most was Naji’s story of how he and his brother were brutally abused by their grandmother. It was sad to see the abuse get increasingly worse and more extreme. Now, both of them are in jail with his brother being convicted of murder. Across all of the stories, it was apparent how much of a factor parental figures played and how not having a loving and supportive family can cause so much pain. After finishing the reading, I really thought about how amazing my parents and family are and how appreciative I am to have grown up in such a supportive and loving environment.

09/07 Prep Note

By Angelos Charalampos Bouras

On September 7, 2023

In Angelos, prep note

Writing Our Way Out was definitely an insightful introductionary book to storytelling and real-life experiences of prisoners. It captured to a big extent not only the life as a prisoner but the whole story behind each individual, highlighting the origins and uniqueness of each individual, something that is frequently ignored when it comes to less privileged people. The course of the professor was a catalyst for the students not only to share about their backgrounds but to reflect on them, giving meaning and making a connection to their lifestyle.

A common theme among the prisoners was a form of abuse or marginalization even starting in their childhood. Whether they grew up in a limited-income household, without parents, or with abusive parents, they all developed traumas and were exposed to hurtful environments that could not easily escape from. This connotates the impact early life can have on people since the biggest part of our personality and character traits are developed during that time.

Another observation of the book is the tendency of people to assume people’s backgrounds. I am going to be honest, even, I was biased before reading this book, and up to an extent I still am what this book taught me is to listen to people and try to understand them. Punishing and judging people based on their actions may sound like justice and part of meritocracy but this takes a lot of parameters out of the game and is based on a lot of assumptions. We are not born equal and with the same privileges leading to people taking different lifepaths in life. That made me also think of the time we visited an underage prison in the capital while I was in middle school and I was shocked at how people my age could be in prison even though we share more in common than differences. Therefore, the book questions the justice system we currently use and incentivizes people of listening and think before coming to conclusions.

Prep Note 09/07/23

By William Linquata

On September 7, 2023

In prep note, Will L

Before beginning Writing Our Way Out I thought that the stories that the incarcerated persons would be sharing would be more focused on the present or even what they may have done to end up where they were. Instead, I was surprised to read about their childhoods and the other realities that are occurring in these men’s lives. Whilst reading their stories I get a small glimpse into their lives and emotions; I realize that I cannot truly appreciate their experiences, but in reading I get an understanding of their identity. There are many parallels and differences between each of their stories, emotional distress and lack of family support cause many of the issues that led to their incarceration. This book represents how storytelling can be used by anyone and refined with help by someone to allow a person to share their authentic life.

Prep Notes 9/7

By Zhuoyan Wen

On September 7, 2023

In prep note, Wesley

“Writing Our Way Out” provides readers with a valuable glimpse into the real-life experiences of prisoners. This memoir effectively reveals the different realities faced by those in prison through biographical stories that bring their lives to the forefront. The characters in this book are well-drawn, going beyond their roles as prisoners. As I dive into their stories, I can truly understand their pain, suffering, and, most importantly, different identities they have.

The author’s choice not to reduce prisoners to symbols of guilt. Instead, David Coogan goes beyond – he takes great care to show them as unique individuals, each with their own backgrounds, feelings, and social connections. Coogan’s attention to detail and logical storytelling make these characters feels authentic and reliable.

Prep Note – 9/7/2023

By Nicholas Javier

On September 7, 2023

In Javier, prep note

The novel “Writing Our Way Out” – is definitely a different kind of book than the kind that I am traditionally used to. My usual genre of books tends to be Fantasy, and while they may have dark themes or elements, or graphic scenes- there comes a level of profoundness and also seriousness and tension that arises when it is framed in a sense of a “biography” or “memoir.” Knowing all of their stories, to the current point, makes one think about how at large, it isn’t so commonplace for majority of people’s lives, but for many, it is. Even harder for others.

I’ve been fortunate to have had an environment where I’ve been able to be free of the struggles that they experience. But the overlap in their stories, whether it be struggle in family lives, violence, substance abuse, sexual harassment, and “the streets” – its striking because many of their experiences occur in their YOUTH for the most part. Every day was a fight or struggle, even if they didn’t realize it or not. Even if they were blind or “throwing” themselves into it similar to the fishbowl analogy. Even if they caught themselves up in “embracing” the lifestyle.

I did find interesting, was Dave’s stance through it all. He asks them eye opening questions that really promotes self-reflection in a way that many of them comment upon having never been touched upon. “You’re the only person whose asked that…” “Never thought about that before…” – and the extent to which Dave goes in order to keep in contact and meet with them, even as they are pulled in different directions adds an impressive layer of commitment. Each of the Prisoner has their own stories, and while they aren’t exactly trying to justify their actions- they are trying to open people’s eyes and also not only turn their own lives, but also the lives of others around. Some of them embrace this novel-writing story with full throttle, while others take their time in coming around.

Prep Note 09-07-23

By Brice Di Carlo

On September 7, 2023

In Brice, prep note, Uncategorized

Although I expected this book to address the crimes and actions of the convicts, I was surprised to hear the men’s stories from their childhood. After the first half of reading this book, I realized that social structures and environments are almost certainly determining factors into how peoples lives develop. Prevalent issues such as divorce, drug use, lack of a nuclear family, and emotional/physical abuse had a life changing impact on the lives of the storytellers. For most of the convicts, the struggle to belong to a tight-knit family unit was the origin of emotional trauma. As a result of emotional distress, these men took advantage of poor coping mechanisms in their environment, such as drugs, prostitution and crime.

When it comes to storytelling, this book unveils the high degree to which storytelling allows people to self reflect on their lives. As the book progressed and the convicts continued to share their stories they became more open with David Coogan as well as themselves.

Prep Note 09/07

By Julia Dalmanieras

On September 7, 2023

In Julia, prep note

Going into this book, I didn’t know what to expect about the stories from these men. I knew some of them would be hard to digest, as all of them turned out to be, but I did not anticipate the severity of the long lasting effects that each incident (or incidents) had on all of the men. Story after story, I felt the repetition in their lives. I noticed patterns and themes they all had in common: lack of a parental figure, traumatizing upbringing, sexual abuse, early encounters with (hard) drugs, etc.. I also found myself unable to relate to any of the experiences they wrote of. I could only visualize aspects of what I have seen portrayed in the media. What genuinely brought me back to reality was the ages of each of the men when they experienced such traumatic events. I read many things about trying drugs, having sex, etc., and the men would end it by saying “and I was only 10 years old,” or some age around that.

Another aspect of this novel that I’ve appreciated thus far is that we don’t know who is convicted of what. I don’t have preconceived notions of any of these men. I feel as though I am able to listen to their stories more intently without judgment. Personally, I cannot imagine being in a situation where I was constantly berated, left with no self-esteem, and just no one who believed in me.

Having the images of the men, and of Dr. Coogan on the back of the novel helped me visualize the conversations between everyone, especially in the prison chapel. I’m not done with the book, but I believe that everyone should read it, or something like it, in order to gain some insight on life in prison and the stigmas that surround prisoners.