San Quentin residents made efforts to bridge the generational gap between young and elder offenders, with a series of conversations that took place on Fridays earlier this year.
The discussion was the first attempt to bring a perspective of understanding between young and older people of different eras.
The theme of these discussions is called “Bridging the Generational Gap,” by using the commonality of social justice, and Hip Hop, as a foundation to build on.
SQ residents Marcus “Wali” Henderson and Richard Bhimji collaborated on the idea to bridge the generational gap; the event was sponsored by SQ Muslim Chaplain Muhammad Fasih.
On the first day, 25 of SQ’s older residents gathered for the discussion of social justice. Bhimji lectured on the social impact of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Jr. vision.
He told attendees most people only knew of King’s non-violent civil rights movement. He spoke about King’s economic ideology, stating he went to Tennessee in an effort to unionize the black sanitation workers.
Bhimji also relayed that King’s greatest accomplishment was the eradication of legal discrimination, such as Jim Crow laws. King’s movement eliminated regulations that White and Black people could not gather in the same venue.
The attendees discussed civil and human rights, agreeing, “We still struggle with discrimination,” adding that there is a need for more Black institutions that revolve around stable economics, and social justice.
In the next three meetings, SQ’s young people attended, they found an interest in the discussion of Hip Hop, and what influenced their generation.
Henderson, 51, hosted the next discussion. He asked, “What is your favorite rap artist?”
Participants replied, Eric B and Rakim, 2 Pac, Grandmaster Flash, The Notorious B.I.G., Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, and the Wu-Tang Clan.
A Young participant added, Nippsey Hustle, J. Cole, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, and Drake.
Adrian, a young resident, said his favorite rap song is “Triumph” by the Wu-Tang Clan, which had an inspiring meaning to him.
Dante D. Jones, 41, said that we could not forget about the women who pioneered Hip Hop.
According to Jones, old school rap artists, Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, contributed to rap music’s success, including today’s female artist, such as Rhapsody, Cardi B, and Latto.
“It shows they [women] are powerful, it provided society an opportunity to respect women, and what they brought to the Hip Hop culture,” Jones said.
An older resident said they preferred the early Hip Hop, because of the positive messages that influenced them.
An elder called current rap music “trash,” In response, a young participant said, “Rap music is about what going in our neighborhoods.”
Sammie Nichols 33, conveyed that the older generation needs to show how young people can be vulnerable, getting away from being emotionally withdrawn, in setting an example for young people.
“I cannot show weakness, if someone slaps me and I do nothing, what will I tell my son,” said C.J. a young resident. “I grew up on Hip Hop; my favorite artist is based on how I am feeling at the time.”
He also said that he does not listen to older people who try to be a father figures, or a big brothers, and is still involved in illegal activity. He said that sometimes he would acknowledge the wisdom of the elders.
Henderson asked a young participant, “what do you need youngster?” He replied, “discipline.”
“The program [Bridging the Generational Gap] brings light to the problem, basically for the older generation not understanding the young people,” said Michael “Luqman” Russell 30.
He says the older generation should ask the young people how they can help. The older generation grew up with tough love, they were taught not to wear emotions on their sleeve.
“It’s easier for the young generation to express our emotions, today its okay to cry,” said Russell.
Another young resident added the new generation music [rap] has a lot of influence on the kids; they want to try what they hear.
KG 31, responded by saying, kids were influenced by TV shows that showed children behaving badly, “[influences] that’s not an excuse, at the end of the day be your own man,” he said.
TJ 44 conveyed that he watched new generations let entertainment educate.
“If you see something more than twice it’s a coincidence, if it’s more than that, it’s a program, if more than that it’s a plan,” he said.
BB told the participants to practice what you preach, saying he has a son, and he asked his son why he cusses, he replied, “because you cuss.”
In the final meeting, the topic “identity” was discussed. Some residents say they go by names with a more positive meaning, while other take on less meaningful ones.
“It’s time to tell the younger generation who they truly are, it is about changing the narrative,” said Randall Lawrence age 38.
SQ resident Michael Walker 46, guided an identity discussion, he elaborated that titles of gang, and criminal cultures are misleading terms, not a description of the authentic self.
He continued by saying labels give people a false sense of character, people act out this false identity which are not their true self.
“No matter if you’re White, Black, or Brown be your true self,” Walker told the young people.
