The lunch visit was different than I expected because we didn’t get the chance to ask all of our questions. It took longer than expected to get each question answered, which was not a bad thing because we got some really in-depth answers from our guests. I also didn’t expect the conversation to go as in-depth as it did. At one point we were discussing how the government works and getting down to the roots of society. This visit changed my understanding of the book by showing me that these stories are absolutely real, and there is a real person attached to each story. Reading a book can give you the false assumption that these stories are a work of fiction, that such a thing can never happen in real life. Upon hearing Kelvin and Terence speak though, it felt so much more real in the saddest way. My understanding of the book was also changed because I realized that so much time has passed since the project began and even when it was published. I think Terence mentioned that they’d been involved in this for 16 years or so, since 2007. That’s a long time to be writing and reflecting and sharing their experiences to audiences like us. To know that all this started in this exact city also changed my understanding of the book. It happened not very far from us, and that in itself is surprising to me. I do wish that this talk was longer though because there were so many questions left unanswered, and I felt like I could listen to them talk forever. But I am grateful for what they offered to us regardless because I learned so much from them. I considered things I never would have thought about, like the word “habilitation” as opposed to “rehabilitation.” Upon Googling, I have discovered that “habilitation” refers to the attainment of skills needed for daily functioning that haven’t developed, whereas “rehabilitation” means gaining back these skills that were lost.
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I now realize that Writing Our Way Out (or any other work) could not truly communicate the different time periods that the authors wrote about in their stories. No matter the amount of context and detail provided, readers will always have less of an understanding of the circumstances in which the stories take place than the writers themselves. I saw this demonstrated in a lot of the conversations; It was as if we had missed a large part of what seemed to come naturally to Kelvin and (especially) Terrence. No amount of words can communicate any lived experience authentically, the author must choose what to leave out, which is another great realization I had during the discussion.
I think the discussion we had with Terrance, Kelvin, and Dr. Coogan as a class was really insightful and engaging. I think one of the most impactful things I learned from the discussion was the outward focus that everyone involved with the project seemed to have. they seemed determined to help educate us, and anyone else who read their book, about their lives and their stories. Kelvin seemed the most adamant about this, saying that his main goal for joining the project was to help others from his background avoid going down the path he had gone down before.
I was surprised by the very serious nature our guests, especially Terrance, talked to us with. Personally, that showed me that he was committed to the project and wanted to take every opportunity he could to impart the knowledge he’s gained from his experiences and show us how important the project was to him.
I agree to the class commitments.
The introductions in the beginning were a great way to break the ice and get to know one another on a human level.
- Even though the conversations we would later have were serious, these introductions helped us see one another as people who may enjoy the same things (ex: what we like to do on a sunny day)
- Helped us realize that none of us in the class come from the Richmond area, unlike Kelvin and Terence. This is significant because we are not familiar with this area, so that’s one reason some of us decided to take this course.
Terence’s curiosity about why we decided to take this course, and what this course is really about, resonated deeply with me because some of us might not have really thought about this before, the why.
- In this way, we also got to share with Kelvin, Terence, and Dave that we chose this course as a way to engross ourselves with this unfamiliar territory, not just as an “easy A” class.
When Terence said not to minimize these stories’ events, I found myself realizing that this happens all too often in the news and other forms of media. In this class, I hope we do not become desensitized to these real, raw stories.
Learning about Terence and Kelvin’s original goals of this project offered a new perspective from the book compiled by Dave. We are somewhat aware of Dave’s original goal from the text, but we do not get to hear about Terence’s, Kelvin’s, and all the others’ motivation to start such a project.
Kelvin spoke of how we can all relate to adversity. Although not everyone’s idea of adversity is the same, the overall concept of adversity evokes the same feelings of hopelessness and despair. This connects us all as human beings.
When Dave spoke of how his Prison Literature class has expanded beyond prison, he discussed how history plays a role in today’s criminal justice system. Offering this historical perspective allows us to think about how these injustices stem from real events in the past.
- He also discussed how people in the system were neglected. By viewing the system in a broader perspective, we can begin to piece together why the system is the way it is.
When Terence spoke of how ideal situations can differ for certain people, it opens up a whole new can of worms regarding what we grew up with.
- We have different perceptions of the ideal situation because we grew up in different conditions, ones that we grew used to and that would later color our perceptions of what is ideal.
Upon learning that it is more difficult for Kelvin to write now as opposed to in prison was interesting.
- When you’re in prison, writing might feel like the only thing you can do in that situation because it’s a tangible way of coping with your current environment. It might feel like a form of productivity, working towards a way to move forward.
When Terence brought up the definition of “habilitation” rather than “rehabilitation,” I realized that I had never actually heard the word used without the “re.”
- You don’t really consider that form of the word unless you experience something that evokes this consideration.
- It seems like something to spend an afternoon Googling
Overall, this visit was a surreal experience because it’s not everyday you get to meet the authors of a book you’ve read. It’s not just a book either, it’s a book full of real experiences that should not be brushed aside as minimal.
I agree to the class commitments!
Start: Introductions of the people:
- We discussed our names, where we are from, and our favorite thing to do on a Sunny day.
- Ex: Name, location, and favorite thing to do on a Sunny day.
- Kelvin, from Richmond, loves to go to the playground and play basketball, watch basketball.
- A lot of us like going on walks. As well as bikes.
- A few of us love reading outside as well.
- Professor Dolson explained the project that we’re working on later in the Spring.
- Terrence is wondering about why we’re here, how we’re going to go about this– and why it matters.
- We’re learning from their stories and ultimately going to learn to share stories. Asking Terrence, Dave’s and Kevin’s advice about the process.
- We’re going to eventually start learning about Richmond’s Unhealed History.
- Immersing ourselves in the local and real stories of people who are a part of t he community.
- With this in mind, Terrence says to not minimize what we hear from the story. It’s not fictional, or fairy tales, it is the real experiences that people have gone through.
- Original Goal: Take a bunch of stories and staple them together to distribute, akin to a simple Magazine.
- Became more complex over time. It is a serious matter to learn someones life story, Dave’s initial idea was insufficient for the intensity of what the class wanted to share about their lives.
- What were Kelvin and Terrence’s Goals?
- Terrence: Identify with Self. – Simple. He’s been married, divorced, homeless, been to college and the military– and now is incarcerated. What does he do to move forward? Kelvin came to him and explained the project, and Terrence (being a former law student), was supposed to be on the other side of this.
- He was a nerd. No guidance. And experimented, and on his own trying to find his way, he went to the project to find an element “What do you do now?”
- Getting the thought process elevates and accelerates the process of how to handle Dave’s questions and project.
- Terrence could’ve written a lot more, and extraordinarily. Could’ve shared so much more. However, his experience wasn’t something to glorify but to help him heal and move forward.
- Answered questions: Who am I? Where do I come from? What are my goals? How did I get to where I am?
- To be vulnerable enough to share that openly with others, beyond just stapling together– but something to reach someone, even just one person.
- Kelvin: Original goal was to tell the truth and give back to others. The truth is relatable.
- Originally when they talked about the process, Kelvin wanted to write the truth so people can relate to it. Some people’s truths are different from others and we can all relate to adversity.
- Choose the right facts or components of truth in order to share.
- Terrence: Identify with Self. – Simple. He’s been married, divorced, homeless, been to college and the military– and now is incarcerated. What does he do to move forward? Kelvin came to him and explained the project, and Terrence (being a former law student), was supposed to be on the other side of this.
- Get in touch with a “version” of yourself. Terrence was struggling with himself, and that caused him to make decisions that were not as kind to himself as he would treat others.
- Elements of regret. “I don’t wanna do that” “Why did I do that”
- He hopes that others like us won’t have to have that experience. Hopes to be a voice or sound box to warn others from following down the track and prevent them from making self-destructive decisions.
- Prison Literature: Now a larger-scaled 75 student lecture that has become a focal point for many different interests.
- NOt just about Prison but about the things that lead up to prison.
- Some literature include materials like Malcom X and other people who wrote FROM prison.
- Takes into account Jim Crow, the history of Slavery, Martin Luther King’s letter from jail. Historical lenses.
- Evolved to go beyond Prison but the conditions that lead to Prison. People who struggle with addiction, discrimination, exclusion and other similar factors. People with mental health issues.
- Why have we neglected so many? In the system; those who struggle and are neglected by the system. Look beyond just “oh crimes were committed” – look at the bigger picture, what brought them to where they were?
- Has expanded into a program even after Dave’s story. A legacy. Involved into what happens AFTER everything. Stories still continue.
- Their ideal situations are different from other ideal situations. Terrence was an adult when his “enterprises” began.
- Terrence was very content with his childhood.
- Do they think that social services, whether younger or older– might’ve changed the direction of their lives? Did social services lack in that regard or would it have made a difference?
- Product of Environment – Can’t say whether it lacked thereof or was a problem for him (Kelvin) – but that he didn’t do what he was told to do.
- “I was a damn asshole, I was stupid. My mom didn’t have it the best, but she let me know what was on the other side.” (Kelvin)
- “You’re looking at a different age and time in history. (We’re talking 60s) – Almost 40-60 years ago. Huge difference. Coming through a history of intolerance and you have nothing – here comes civil rights in America – (not globally) and go to try to get a job– the civil right is then trampled upon.”
- “How are you gonna feed these kids so they can have a future?” (To Terrence’s Mom) – Government comes up with a program: Social Services. Do as the Puritans did, go in “there” and “assess”
- Doesn’t take away from the life of the person in that situation. Doesn’t make it any less than living in Cape Cod or other situations. – Feeding children so they can have a future.
- World is more inclusive now as it “has to be” – If the world wasn’t forced to change would it be different?
- Book Recommendation: The Careless Society (John Mcknight) – John was one of the architects for the social services they talked about. One of the issues with a government-program to alleviate poverty, you end up creating consumers of the service. Doesn’t fill the need of the community.
- Power of Community is underutilized: We don’t look at the assets of individuals or achievements of individuals to say the only way yo get out of it is for an agency to get out of it is only at BEST ½ right.
- What obligation or capacity does the state have to offer a service that can help a state encourage people to avoid crime, poverty, etc.?
- Product of Environment – Can’t say whether it lacked thereof or was a problem for him (Kelvin) – but that he didn’t do what he was told to do.
- What forms of “writing” manifest – in terms of the present…
- (Insert laughter from Terrence and Kelvin)
- Kelvin is behind in his writing, he is occupied with life but Dave’s been telling him to write. It’s been a while. When he finishes writing, he knows what he writes will help him move forward.
- Right now it’s like “looking at a wall”
- Really easy writing when he was in prison because he had nothing to do EXCEPT right. He’s trying to get back into it.
- Stan did it to regurgitate his past.
- Kevin did it to reflect on his past.
- Terrence says that Dave’s project is a continuous flow. To share their stories with us, is more than just being an example.
- All have different stories but all ended up at the same place.
- More varieties of kids in the detention center… Has a more rehabilitation approach. However, the current correctional has not let volunteers in to work since before COVID.
- Habilitation:
- What does it mean?
- What does the word mean? How can you habilitate or repeat what hasn’t been established in the first place?
- Stanley: The Preacher
- He was already interacting and ingrained in an element of “faith” when the story and process began, it just deepened through the process.
- “I can get through this whole thing with just this…” (Holds up the Bible)
I agree to the class commitments.
Kelvin: How did you avoid being influenced by your family?
Kelvin: When you went to the Idlewood Avenue saw people there had an extravagant lifestyles, why did you “Never said to myself, yeah, I got to live that and have those things”? Did’t you feel unbalanced?
Kelvin: You love your family, and you are also optimistic about your life, have you ever want to bring your family a different life?
David Coogan: While writing the book “Writing our way out”, what does it brought you?
(for writers) How has participating in this writing program helped you in your life later away from the jail? Do you look back on previous experiences with different feelings or perspectives after writing them down?
(for David Coogan) Is there any texts in this book that you specifically kept or modified?