An open mic event sponsored by Jody Lewen and Amy Roza of the Prison University Project was held on Christmas Eve.
An audience of San Quentin inmates and Patten University volunteers crowded the old laundry building where college classes are normally held. Classroom deck chairs were replaced with regular chairs, converting the building into a makeshift auditorium. Inmates told stories, read poetry and sang Gospel.
Darrell Williams performed “Jailhouse Blues.” His heartfelt sonnet expressed how prisoners feel when it seems like friends on the outside have forgotten them.
Andrew Mearis read an essay entitled, “This World.” Mearis’s thesis was that love triumphs over all.
John Neblett recited a poem entitled “The River Man,” by Elizabeth Bishop. The audience was taken on an adventure of mystery and mysticism as Neblett quoted the entire poem from memory. Audience members were left pondering the connection between the environment and their own purpose in life.
The audience’s attention was then grabbed by E. “Phil” Philips as he slammed an original piece entitled, “When is it going to stop?” “Dropping bombs, it ain’t right; son, as I hear the pop, pop I want to know when is it gonna stop?” As Philips completed his socially conscious poem with a rhythmic rhyme, female teachers and tutors somberly nodded their heads in agreement to its positive message.
The entertainment continued with a poem entitled “Wit and Wisdom,” read by Larry Climmon. It told of the deception and facades that people present while experiencing turmoil in efforts to hide their true identities.
Angel Alvarez read a poem entitled “Don’t Fall” that he dedicated to former Prison University Project administrator Jennifer Scaife.
The showcase ended with an original Gospel song sung by a group called New Day.” The group consists of Rico, Napolean Brown and Darryl “Shorty” Buckhana. They harmonized a smooth original Gospel medley entitled “Heaven,” written by Napolean Brown.
Vinny Nguyen, a member of the Juvenile Justice group, stated: “Our message is that we want the public and lawmakers to place the juvenile justice system under a microscope. Trying juvenile as adults … is not the answer.”
Inmates thank Jody Lewen, Amy Roza and all the Patten University teachers and tutors who supported the event.
—La Quan Hayes
