KNOW HIRING
I was recently employed as a Youth Advocate at Ken Rock Community Center in Rockford Illinois. My supervisor would write me little notes on how well I was doing, and how she was working on possible full time employment for me. The Center has a joint collaboration with the YMCA in our area. The Y representive was fresh out of college. (As my supervisor said with no bedside manors) She literally had created a hostile work environment, and guess whou she felt was a threat? So she lied, literally lied on me, known fact could be proven without a doubt.A list of allegations were made against me, not once had I ever been wrote up, I was only there for two months. Of course I wasn't wrote up because my supervisor would type up little letter on how well I was doing. Yet the only person that observed these behaviors was this one supervisor. The program was for helping children, yet she would tell me the students could go do things at home.So this one week was a challenging week for me. On Friday I was told that I didn't have to work, but later they realized that they needed me. So I told them that I could come in when I get off at my other job. So since I didn't arrive when they expected me to. My supervisor left me a message terminating me over the phone. Which I hadn't heard it until after I arrived for work and she told me she had left it. So to make a long story short after meeting with her and the director of Ken Rock she told me to disregard the phone call, and that they were meeting with the Y to discuss the accusations made against me and that I would be considered laid off until the fall. That they were looking at possible full time employment for me. They also told me how my supervisor totally was supporting me in this matter, because the Y representive had put her in some unprofessional situations with employees. She created some work disputes with her and other employees so she knew how I felt.So one day in the summer I just so happen to stop by there to check on the full time position that I had been told about and to my surprise they had posted it. So my supervisor told me that she was going to call me, to let me know about the position and that the Director of Ken Rock had someone he wanted her to interview for the position. I don't have to say anymore do I. Of course not. So I interviewed for the position and of course didn't get the position. Imagine that.So I'm saying this- did they break the law? YES-I can't understand why people do things that doesn't demonstrate honest work ethics, and think that it's okay.
I wouldn't say this was racially motivated but race did play a factor. I was there and made a difference to several students in the program. This is a community center that is reaching out to help minorities yet how many does it employee? OOPS I forgot they do have some minorities working in the kitchen.For a someone to say they stand by and support their employee yet they end up without a job.I feel these are the types of situations that people shouldn't have to go through and yet we do, hopefully one day people will really be held accountable for their actions.This is how you know it really isn't about the children, it's about who you know. I made a difference yet in the end that didn't matter.

After a recent social injustice meeting that I attended in Durham, North Carolina I haven't been able to forget several key things discussed in the meeting. The first one is the Declaration of Independence. Once again thanks Lafonda Jones from The North Carolina FAMM division. You said you were going to send me back home with something, you did. Thanks again.

For those that don't know, I'm sure they have noticed the high rate of non violent offenders incarcerated for long cruel unjust prison sentences under minimum mandatory sentencing. In June of 2005 Congressman Danny Davis introduced a bill into Congress to revive parole and good time to federal offenders(Bill H.R. 3072). It has been stalled in The Judicary House Committee since then. Congressman James Sennsbrenner from Wisconsin believes in lock them up and throw away the key. How can we allow this when the Declaration of Independence was written to protect people from unfair treatment and abuse of power.

"This is what the Declaration says"

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Then why are we stuck with 2 million incarcarated and James Sennbrenner stalling a bill in the Judicary House Committee? Can anyone answer that after reading this portion of the Declaration of Independence?

Also the Story of Alva Mae Grove touched many of us. Alva Mae is a 85 year old Woman who was incarcerated at the age of 72 for conspiracy-she refused to testify against her daughter and know she is serving a 25 year prison sentence.
Her family is fighting to get her a compassionate release due to her health at the age of 85. What if it was any of our Grandparents locked up because of the war on drugs and minimum mandatory sentencing?

Hi
Just another response to my blog that I would like to share with everyone that reads
Hi Toni, my name is Pauline and I received your blog today by email. The>only way I could figure you reached me is by some prison action affiliate.>I am a member of PAN and have been to many other prisoner reform websites>out there as well. Let me first introduce myself on a more personal level.>I happen to be a “white” female, age 46, however, I have 2 sons whose >father>“was” a black male when he died at age 47 while incarcerated. We live in>New York state. My husband became ill with kidney failure during his 12th>year of incarceration. He first was imprisoned for that term when our sons>were just 4 and 5 years old. They were 18 and 19 years old when their dad>died. Many situations have surprising or unexpected details to them. I>also have my daughter, my eldest child, and she is all white like myself.>You see, she was influenced by our beloved “Billy”, rip, as I met him when>she was just at the tender age of 2 ½. She was 12 years old when Billy was>taken from us by the system. Billy was her “real daddy” in her heart>because her own white father never cared to bother with her much though he>was always a free man. Well yes, I sure could go on and on, but just >wanted>to let you know that as a white woman and mother of 3 beautiful children, I>too know the wicked ways of the system, and yes, I also know of its’ racial>inequities. My now 21 year old son has been to county jail, with a now>pending 5 year probation over his head. I raised them alone in a>predominantly white class neighborhood just outside of Albany in New York.>There, he had one trial and tribulation after another with all of the white>cops and I daresay, even moreso due to the fact that his ethnicity is of a>mix, and I truly believe those cowardly cops have more hatred in them for>the white woman who lies down with a black man. I do not back down from >the>system though, and I will not stop until I and my family receive the >justice>we deserve from the great loss we suffer every day. Oh and if you are>curious, yes, Billy was incarcerated for a $25 drug sale, and his sentence>was 12 ½ to 25 years. Please feel free to get in touch any time you wish,>even just to talk. Pauline>

This is a response to my blog below

I am with you 100%. I am also sick and tired of people who screamabout>poisoning their children with drugs but those same people sit quietlyby>while the government poisons our school children with mind altering>drugs while telling us that they suffer from ADHD. As children my>grandmother had a cure for ADHD and it did not come in a bottle either.>It came in leather form and it worked very well. These same people are>telling you that you can not whip your children but they say nothing>when a bunch of white police officers are whipping our children over>their heads with night sticks even when it is caught on camera. It is>time for us to take our communities back and raise our children the way>we were raised. Hopefully, we can then keep them off the "New Slave>Ship".>>Teresa Aviles>Mother of Isidro Aviles (inmate #33404-054 who passed away in prison>while serving a harsh, racist mandatory prison sentence)>>See: "So Many Tears" by Teresa Aviles>>Available at www.amiayaentertainment.com, www.amazon.com,>www.barnesandnoble.com, www.blackbooksplus.com>

For the last month I haven't felt the desire to blog. I'm just frustrated with words that come out of people's mouths. I have heard so many people say that they can't stand drug dealers because they are poisoning our children. Then people say it isn't any excuses for why
they sell drugs because it is other options out their. Don't get me wrong because yes it is wrong to sell drugs. I'm not trying to justify them doing what they did. However has anyone ever listened to what they are saying. It's a known fact that education has let African Americans down. It was a two day special on Oprah talking about the education of African Americans. It was said in that program that we are back to racial segregation in education.
So I'm going to say this to all those that say they are poisoning our children. Those were the children that someone 10 or 15 years ago said someone else was saying were being poisoned. Those are the same children that didn't receive an education that everyone is talking about. Those are the children that public schools let down 5 to 15 years ago.
In another five to 15 years ago it will be someone else saying they are killing there own and poisoning the children.
How can we say that people for whatever reasons resulting in someone selling drugs is the worse human being there is. They are worse than a murder a child molester according to society. How can we say that and then on the other hand say we aren't educating our children they end up dropping out and 12th grade African Americans are reading at a 7th grade level and their Caucasian counterparts are reading at a 12th. So when the mixing pot began mixing and the finish dough came out to be non violent drug offenders than oh my god. Lock them up and throw away the key. Has that solved the problem? Is it going to solve the problem?
No one should have to fight a fight to get a child educated like the fight we are. So when people throw in the towel and for whatever reason gives up don't judge and say what they deserve and what you hate. Instead let's all take responsibility for what society has created and began to change it.
Illegal immigrants protested for three days about a bill that was introduced to the house that would have made anyone arrested in this country that was an illegal immigrant a felon. After only three days that part of the bill is history.
Why is it we are the first to fall and the last to stand? You may say it's not you-but believe me it will hit your family one day. Starting in elementary school when they tell you that your child can't read or your child is ADHD. Just know that is where it all begins. The question is when will it end?

Also before someone speaks about how these people are walking around with guns and doing all these crazy things. WHAT DOES NON VIOLENT MEAN?

How do you know your son will be the 1 out of five that won't be arrested and won't go through incarceration?
How can you say that your daughter won't be the one who ends up with the boyfriend that wasn't the one out of five and ended up incarcerated? Trying to raise a child alone because on his first offense he is doing twenty years.
Or who is to say that you will not end up being that parent serving prison time because you didn't tell on your child. You are know serving time with them.

Bill H.R. 3072 To Revive Parole and Good Time to Federal Offenders.

DO YOU KNOW THE PERSON THAT REPRESENT YOU IN WASHINGTON D.C.

On Friday March 10, 2006 me and several other women were given the opportunity of meeting with Congressman Donald Manzullo. I was in shock and disbelief by the time this meeting ended.
For those that don't know I'm the Regional Volunteer for the November Coalition-The November Coalition is working to end the war on drugs injustice.
With that said on June 27th 2005 a bill was introduced into Congress to revive parole and good time for non violent offenders. Up until I met with Congressman Manzullo I and others had been gathering signatures asking him to support this bill. The first thing that he told us was that he hadn't heard anything about this bill until that day. With the help of a hard working individual she had submitted 800 letters asking him to support this bill. I had submitted about 200. We know that we weren't the only ones submitting letters.
So that told us that he doesn't know what is going on and the response that we received wasn't from him.
If that wasn't enough he said that he doesn't support parole. I asked him has he gone in the African American community and spoke with mothers that has children that has used drugs and other children that has sold drugs? He didn't answer he just looked. He could only respond by speaking on violent crimes that people have committed. I would have to constantly remind him that we were discussing non violent offenders. The question was asked had he sat down with the judge that does the sentencing and his opinion on sentencing this non violent offenders.
He didn't say anything.
He also told us that selling drugs in his opinion was a violent crime. I asked him why when it is a non violent crime according to the law. He then asked me the definition of violent and non violent.
By the end of this meeting he told us that he would contact Congressman Danny Davis's office to find out about the bill and maybe he might sponsor it if they hold some hearings on it.
He tried to tell us that you can't co sponsor a bill unless they hold hearings on it and you can hear both sides. I asked why can't you look into it. You heard our side know look into the side that is against it. He said he can't do that-that you have to have hearings. Well everyone who knows about the bill knows that it is stuck in the House judiciary Committee. The committee chair doesn't believe in the bill and he supports minimum mandatory sentences and people have been trying to get hearings for months now yet it isn't considered an issue of importance. However he can co sponsor a bill without a hearing.
Needless to say he didn't know much about bill H.R. 3072. If you know you are having a meeting with people to discuss it you would research it. In this case that didn't happen. He also tried to say that racial disparity doesn't exist in the war on drugs.
If your state representing isn't working for you then why should you vote for them?
Know the person that gets your vote and if they will support the issues that effect the poor.

Support Bill H.R. 3072 To Revive Parole and Good time to Non Violent Offenders

After losing a friend to incarceration to the war on drugs, I was talking to another gentleman. He was telling me how he knew about the case and how the government informant was wrong for telling on these individuals. He said because that man had children just like the government informant did. He said and when it all boils down it’s about the kids. He said and since then he has wanted to change the way that he lives. He said that he wants to get a job. So I said you don’t have any work history. I told him even at the temporary service they want you to have work history. He was like I walked away from that life, and I’m ready to get a job, but it’s hard.
Every since that conversation it has stuck in my mind. In reality how can he just walk away from that life? I suggested that he goes back to school. I don’t know anything about his background if he has been incarcerated long term or short term. I don’t know if he has a diploma or GED or if he dropped out of school. Never the less he is a man that wants to change how he lives.
How can he or any other man or woman make it in this society after living the life of a hustler? This society is set up for failure. After reading everything that I have about the war on drugs-minimum mandatory sentencing and incarceration, I feel that the whole system is a catch 22. They are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
I know a man that went to prison for attempting to sell a look alike substance. He was on drugs. He came home and he finally was able to get a job. However a man in his mid to late 30’s trying to change his life and fight the temptation of drugs. How could he do that making $6.50 an hour? This man would walk to work from one side of town to the other. It would be in the depth of winter yet he was walking to work. He could count on one how many times he had missed. In the end he ended up going back to using drugs. What incentive is making $6.50 an hour and you have children to take care of?
We know how hard it is for people that haven’t lived the life of hustling to get a job. So how can it be so much easier for them? I’m so tired of people saying they should have worked a real job. In reality it’s hard for us to work a real job, so can we imagine how much harder it is for them?
Yet we don’t see Congress passing laws and making it easier for people that want to turn their lives around. In most States after a drug conviction most women and men can’t get welfare. So if that’s not punishing them for a crime that they have already paid their debt to society for what is it?
I’m having a hard time understanding how companies will hire men and women to work for them while incarcerated but they wouldn’t hire them before they became incarcerated and they definitely aren’t going to hire them afterwards. Yet if they would have given most of these individuals the opportunity to work and support their families they wouldn’t have been in the situation they were incarcerated for.
Why hasn’t a bill been introduced into Congress saying that if a company uses prison labor that they have to employ so many ex cons after they are released?
Why hasn’t these things happened? As Americans we don’t demand our fellow Americans are treated with dignity and respect. We look down on them because of some poor choices they have made in the past and we make it so they can never put those mistakes in the past.
My last thought is this. A judge sentences a man to 25 years in prison. Then orders him a 26,000.000 fine to pay when he gets out. That man will be released according to The FBOP when he is in his early 50’s. Where is that man supposed to get that type of money from? He is getting out with a debt knowing that if it isn’t paid where will he end up? So if that’s not pushing that life style back in that man’s face then what is it doing. You have taken this man’s life away from him. So when he does return to society first and foremost he has to be able to pay the government.
While in prison these men and women receive a fine that has to be paid while incarcerated and one to be paid upon their release. HMMMM-So an inmate makes on an average of $5-10 dollars a month. Yet they have to pay anywhere between $20 on up a month on their fine. Where are they supposed to get the money from? Let’s hope they have a supportive family that steps in. If they don’t pay the fines they end up in punishment housing and can’t purchase commissary.
A man is a man before he is a convict, drug dealer, drug user or a prisoner. To try and rob them of being who they are first only creates a problem in society that we can’t deal with. Unnecessary incarceration. Robbing a man of his identity and in reality all he wants to do is provide for his family. No matter how you trace it-no matter how you look at it. It still goes back to family.
After Katrina hit in New Orleans I remember President Bush saying that he didn’t know the poverty level was that bad. Well imagine that. You see people without jobs so when someone in their family goes to provide for them the only way they know how, they are locked up for years on top of years.
So tell me how are we suppose to succeed and beat the odds?

We need to start holding our elected officials accountable and make them work for the situations in the United States.
Educated and Rehabilate and not just locking people up and throwing away the keys.


SUPPORT BILL H.R. 3072 TO REVIVE PAROLE AND GOOD TIME FOR NON VIOLENT OFFENDERS