First, let me wish you all a prosperous new year. It is hard for me to wish you all a Happy New Year, because there is nothing happy about being in prison. Prison can be a place of self-refection, a place you can center yourself to find peace and hopefully that would lead us to redemption, but a happy place I think not.
As we enter a new year, we as a nation, as well as, the people around the world we are facing a lot of uncertainties, there are wars and threats of more wars, there are calls and laws to use incarceration to deal with the mentally ill, under the auspice of “conservatorship.” I am truly amazed how creative our government officials can get when it comes to fixing problems wrapping up the need for prisons in a nice bow.
Also there is a renewed cry to re-use incarceration to deal with immigrants. It seems the use of incarceration is the answer to dealing with any given city or the nation problems. In the mainstream media, we are hearing renewed screams of “tough on crime” and “tough on immigration cries from some of these same government officials. Well, what the hell let’s get tough on everything.
We are entering into an election year so we should be prepared to hear the same “dog whistles” of the past. We might even see a rematch of President Joe Biden and former Pres. Donald Trump for the nation’s top spot, an old term conservative Democrat and another round of a potential divider in chief. What year is this again?
This is not a year of depression it is a year to renew your strength and focus. Think about, what you want out of life and not just the material things? What I come to learn while in prison – it teaches you how to beware of your surrounding and to adapt because people, institutional policies and rules can shift at a drop of a dime, which could mean life or death – punishment or freedom.
One thing I believe can get us through theses harsh times and mental stresses is that we practice community and be a service to each other. I truly have faith in those who care. Finally, as you can see SQNews is going through some changes.
Currently, I am temporary the editor in chief. I am proud to serve an interim second term, while our newsroom is experiencing some transitions. Not since the Covid pandemic had we had some key staff members parole, also some staff are preparing for the parole board. As an elder of the newspaper, I am honor to help train up our next generation of reporters and keep giving you all a quality newspaper. A new year is here and we all must do our part to bring about positive change. May your new year bring you peace and again prosperity.
Sincerely your humble servant.
