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142 ˜ A Work of Hospitality, 1982–2002
If you point out that placing tape on the covers of books is the method of repairing
and preserving books in the library, be prepared to hear another reason
why you cannot have the book.
How would you feel about having books that promote taking responsibility
for your actions either censored or confiscated outright as contraband
In doing time in prison, you will learn that many people swallow their
pride, bite their tongues, and bow down to the humiliating demands of overbearing
prison guards. On occasion, you might meet a prisoner who challenges
the dehumanizing brutality of the guards. This person will speak out and say the
things that you feel, but that secretly you are afraid to say. In time, you will see
that this prisoner is always harassed and that he winds up in and out of the isolation
unit (“the hole”).
If this person refuses to give up the struggle, you’ll soon hear that he went
back into isolation. Then one day you will see the prison CERT (Corrections
Emergency Response Team), dressed in black, with body armor and electric
shields, making one of their frequent trips to the isolation unit. How would you
feel if, one day after seeing the CERT go to the isolation unit, you learn that
your rebellious friend, who always spoke up and challenged the system, had a
“seizure” in his isolation cell, fell, hit his head, and subsequently died Will you
be disgusted, sad, frustrated, or angry at such an unfair system
˜ ˜ ˜
Prior to coming to prison, you are led to believe that you will encounter all
sorts of prisoners. You are told that you will meet drug dealers, rapists, robbers,
and murderers. You are made to feel afraid of these predators. But, on arriving,
you learn an astounding truth. Yes, there are a few prisoners who prey upon
weaker prisoners. But it isn’t as widespread as you have been told. The real threat
is not from fellow prisoners but from the prison staff. They will steal your property,
force you to pay protection money, and try to ensnare and destroy you with
their drugs.
If you have the misfortune to come to prison, you will be tested. If you are
weak, you will fall prey. If you are strong and willing to stand up for what you
believe in, you might find yourself being asked to sit in on an underground
meeting of prisoners. You will be asked your thoughts and beliefs, and you will
be challenged on them.
Don’t be surprised to learn that, in prison, members of the Aryan Nation sit
down with members of the Nation of Islam. Christians, Muslims, Buddhists,
and atheists alike come together, eat from a common bowl, and identify a common
enemy. The enemy is a state-sanctioned organization oriented toward the
destruction of humans. This organization is the Georgia Department of Corrections
and its evil sister, the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Parole.