kevin d. sawyer

World class musician returns to SQ after long hiatus

October 23, 2019 by Kevin Sawyer

Blues harmonica player Mark Hummel, 63, returned to San Quentin State Prison in August to discuss his music and to play a few tunes for the men in the guitar workshop.

Kurt Huget, who teaches guitar on Thursday afternoons, introduced Hummel to the class before playing a blues tune as Hummel played improvised riffs on one of five harmonicas he brought with him to entertain and teach the class.

Hummel described the different techniques for playing the harmonica in first position, second or cross position, and third position. Then, he demonstrated as Huget played a Jimmy Reed blues tune on acoustic guitar.

“That’s how Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie played,” Hummel said about playing first position. “A lot of stuff I do when I play is called tongue blocking.”

That is a technique that involves using the tongue to ob- struct air passing through the holes of the harmonica.

“He’s the gentleman of the blues,” said Huget.

He also said Hummel has been wanting to come back to San Quentin for years. “He’s a busy man.”

Hummel travels all around the world to play harmonica, but when he had a window of opportunity he returned to the guitar workshop. It was his second visit to the guitar work- shop in five years.

“I’ve been going to Europe since 1986,” said Hummel. He said that sometimes his band tours with him or he’ll use some of the European bands and that the Finnish bands are really good. “Playing in Russia was one of the high points.”

“I’m self-taught by listening,” said Hummel. “As a harmonica player, we play by ear.”

Hummel played the song “St. James Infirmary” on the harmonica in the third position, in the key of A minor, as Huget accompanied him on guitar. The class listened, observed and applauded when the two finished.

“That’s a real hard position to play in because you’re start- ing on a bent note,” said Hummel, adding that all the music theory he knows is in relation to the harmonica. He said he uses chromatic and diatonic harmonicas.

“You can play four or five keys on harmonica if you know what you’re doing,” said Hum- mel. He also played octaves and said, “It gives kind of like an accordion effect.”

It was a show-and-tell performance where Hummel ex- plained drawing (sucking in air) on the harmonica, and blowing (pushing out air), blows and bends, how to change keys, and how he “learned a lot of what (he) know(s) by listening to re- cords” from artists such as Little Walter, Junior Wells, James Cotton, Sonny Boy (both of them), Jimmy Reed, Paul Butterfield and many others.

To share his experience, Hummel has written a book, Big Road Blues: 12 Bars on I-80.

“I called it that because that’s the road we’d start a tour on and end a tour on,” he said. “We’ve played hundreds of bars along I-80.”

Hummel said the book title has a double meaning because it could mean 12 bars to drink at along the Interstate 80 free- way or 12-bar blues on High- way 80.

“It’s always better when I practice,” said Hummel, but he admitted he doesn’t play every day. Two and a half years ago he suffered a heart attack but said he’s proud of the fact that he’s experienced 34 years of sobriety. “You gotta stay in shape to do this.”

Inmate Gary Harrell, 64, was the only one in the room who played harmonica. “It was awesome,” said Harrell. “The theory and concept and commitment to the harp. He was willing to share (his knowledge). It humbled me. It made me know that people care.”

“You guys are really fun to hang with,” said Hummel. “I love comin’ here to talk music with you.” But he cautioned, “If you get out (of prison) and are thinking of making a liv- ing playing harmonica—good luck!”

Hummel said a blues show audience in the United States is usually older, but that’s not the case in countries such as Russia. “Blues really needs a young audience to help us survive,” he said.

Hummel is also one of hundreds of musicians who work with the organization Bread and Roses, founded more than 40 years ago. The follow- ing week he was scheduled to start a tour in Edmonton, Canada; Alameda, Calif.; Martinez, Calif.; Providence, R.I.; and Hartford, Conn.

“One thing about the blues,” said Hummel, “if you don’t know them, you’ll learn them.”

Robert E. Burton receives first ever Distinguished School award

September 10, 2019 by Kevin Sawyer

Robert E. Burton Principal Michael Wheeless, receiving the Distinguished School award from OCE Superintendent Shannon Swain with Warden Ron Davis (Center)

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) Office of Correctional Education (OCE) presented its first ever Distinguished School award to the Robert E. Burton Adult School at San Quentin State Prison in July.

An award ceremony was held at the prison to acknowledge “exemplary achievements” the school has made above all 34 other accredited schools within CDCR’s prisons.

“It wasn’t surprising it was San Quentin that won this award,” said Ralph Diaz, CDCR Secretary.

“There’s nothing easy about running an agency, school, or prison.” Then he congratulated Michael Wheeless, the school’s principle.

Graduate David Taylor speaking about his educational experiences

“Schools, by nature, are a blend of many different partnerships,” said Wheeless. He said the partnership today is the CDCR administration, made up of the Office of Correctional Education, San Quentin staff, volunteers and inmate tutors, teaching assistants, gardeners and, of course, the teachers.

Wheeless said when he started teaching at the elementary school level, he had an old concept of teaching: teacher, student, parent.

That changed with experience. “It’s not a one person show,” he said. “It takes everyone working together to make things happen.”

Several students were given the opportunity to speak about their past struggles, staff support, accomplishments and the benefit of education.

CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz on stage sharing his experiences as a Correctional Officer

“After the first grade, I hated school,” said inmate Tommy Wickerd. He said by age 18, he was in county jail and later went to prison. “Rehabilitation was the last thing on my mind.” He said that was his “ignorant self” in the CDCR.

When educators and students create an exceptional learning atmosphere…

For 17 years, Wickerd said, he’s been sober and not involved in gang activity. “I changed my life.” He thanked all the educators. “The teachers here at San Quentin have a special skill that others don’t have.”

Inmate David Taylor said he dropped out of school at age 16 and learned the business of selling drugs. “Not having a GED or high school diploma made me feel like nothing.” He restarted his education in the county jail but dropped out. He started again at California State Prison, Sacramento but that ended when he was transferred.

The crowd laughed at Taylor’s story about a long “addiction” to watching television soap operas in prison, wasting time.

“I think about going to college for the first time,” said Taylor. He thanked the Robert E. Burton School teachers. Taylor was found suitable for parole earlier this year.

“All teams have to have a captain, and ours is Mr. Wheeless,” said inmate Kevin Schrubb. “If CDCR had an all-star team of teachers, San Quentin would make up half the team.” He said the teachers work with the men, even those who don’t want to come to class or do the work.

CDCR Director of the Division of Rehabilitative Programs Brant Choate speaking

Shannon Swain, OCE Superintendent, discussed what makes a good school and how the CDCR education program launched the Distinguished School program. “When you start to look at your own practice, you can reflect and improve to see where you need to grow,” she said before presenting Wheeless with the inaugural Distinguished School honor.

“Thirty five prisons, 12 applied, one made it,” said Ron Davis, San Quentin’s warden. He noted that the education program at his prison would not be possible without staff working in food service, custody, medical, mental health and many other departments. “Everyone’s moving in the same direction,” he said. “It’s really the perfect storm. It comes from staff who care.”

“This is a celebration of professional educators at San Quentin”

“I get invited to a lot of events to speak,” said Diaz. Then he told the story of when he was a young correctional officer working in the education department at Corcoran State Prison. It was then he observed inmates playing domino games in education and making soups with oysters. He said his thought on the matter then was if they weren’t beating each other up, everything was fine. That’s not his outlook today. “We’re in a day where people are actually learning and growing,” he said.

“It happens because of the people,” said Diaz. At San Quentin, he said, there are about 875 men pursuing an education through Burton. Of those, about 160 are studying a technical trade and about 380 are attending college. And he didn’t forget to recognize and thank all the volunteers who provide “over 40,000 hours of their time” each year to help the men. He also thanked the students, and the custody staff for “creating a safe environment.”

“This is a celebration of professional educators at San Quentin,” said Brant Choate, CDCR Director of the Division of Rehabilitative Programs. “This event is so important that Ralph Diaz came to speak to you.”

Brant asked the “professional educators” in the room to stand. More than a dozen stood up as the audience applauded them.

“I have taught at private schools, charter schools and public schools—and at the college level,” said Ms D. Searle, the Marin Independent Journal reported. She’s a Burton School teacher in the G.E.D. and high school equivalency program. “I really feel that this has been the most rewarding experience.” She said inmates are an “overlooked population.”

Music for the ceremony was performed by the San Quentin Music Program’s band, Just Us. They were Jeff Atkins, piano and lead vocals; Anthony O’Neal, background vocals; Paul Comeaux, background vocals; Lee Jaspar, guitar; Charles Ross, drums; and Len Walker, bass.

Acknowledging the musical talent of the men in Just Us, Diaz turned to Davis and asked him, jokingly with a smile, “Is there any way to get this band to play at an event outside?” The audience laughed.

Toward the end of the event, there was a question- and-answer session.

Q: How will technology affect teaching in the CDCR?

A: Swain – “I think you’ll see a lot more.” She added that, unless there is “caring staff” technology may not add to the education experience.

Q: When can students earn a living wage (in prison) for attending an education program?

A: Diaz – He questioned if people would participate in education programs for the right reason if pay were the incentive.

Q: How can vocational trade students give back?

A:Swain–“I saw a student teaching another the Pythagorean Theorem.” She said the CDCR has an innovative partnership at Salinas where students participate and build small homes. Brant – “There’s lots of opportunities to give back.” He said inmates can teach others.

Q: What’s being done to shorten the waiting list to get in education programs?

A: Wheeless – He said to get men in programs faster, “we’d have to increase the number of programs.”

Q: What about paying inmate tutors?

A: Swain – The idea that education jobs can be comparable to PIA jobs has been considered.

Q: What about more programs on Level-4 prisons?

A: Diaz – “The challenge with those programs is space.” He said those facilities, when designed in the 1980s, didn’t have education in mind. Also, safety has to be considered, which means the violence would have to be reduced.

Q: Any plans to increase GED credits under Proposition 57, from six months to nine months?

A: Choate – “No.” (The audience laughed) “I think it’s important that this (award) highlights schools’ continuous improvement and work as a professional team,” said Martin D. Griffin, OCE Associate Superintendent. “San Quentin really stood out for having support that results in student success.”

Griffin said CDCR had been working on the award for the last two years. It was finalized in the fall of 2018. He said in February they evaluated applications and later a team visited San Quentin. They came from CDCR headquarters; there was one warden, a community college representative from the chancellor’s office, and an assistant from Career Technical Education (CTE).

According to Griffin, among the ten criteria used to consider which school to award were climate, culture, professional learning and student support. He said five team members visited San Quentin in May, and the award was announced in June.

The final highlight from the day’s event came when Choate sat in with the band and played drums and Swain took to a microphone and sang a spur-of-the-moment rendition of “Hotel California” by the Eagles as the band backed them up. Some of the guests stopped in the aisles and smiled as they observed Swain’s vocals, cheerfulness and the seamless transition from Ross to Choate on the drums.

Arizona rethinks its ban on prison literature

August 12, 2019 by Kevin.Sawyer

The state of Arizona lifted its ban on the book Chokehold after gaining national attention for banning the book written about the US criminal justice system policing Black men.

“An uproar over the ban of Chokehold: Policing Black Men, including threats of a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union, prompted Arizona prison officials to review a publication blacklist and reverse suspending the book,” National Public Radio (NPR) reported.

A growing number of state prison systems, including California, bans prisoners from possessing certain books, deeming them contraband.

Chokehold was written by Georgetown University criminal law professor and former federal prosecutor Paul Butler. His publisher notified him in March that the book was “un- authorized” in Arizona prisons.

“The notice did not specify what led to the decision,” The Associated Press reported.

The ban drew criticism from a number of prisoner and First Amendment advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

“In order for them to ban a book, they have to show the restriction is related to a legit- imate prison interest,” ACLU attorney Emerson Sykes said. “There’s no interest to keep inmates from learning about the criminal justice system and policing.”

Sykes challenged the book ban in May with a letter written to Charles Ryan, Arizona’s director of corrections, the Arizona Republic reported.

“The very people who experience extreme racial disparity in incarceration cannot be prohibited from reading a book whose purpose is to ex- amine and educate about that disparity,” Sykes wrote.

In a blog, Anne Branigin said, “America is taking more and more books out of its prisons…” She said books critical of mass incarceration are often banned.

Chokehold is “the metaphor of the deadly police tactic used to force people into submission,” Branigin wrote.

Five years ago, Eric Garner, a Black man died after Daniel Pantaleo, a White New York City police officer, used the choke hold to subdue him.

“I can’t breathe,” were Garner’s last words before he succumbed to cardiac arrest, the San Francisco Chronicle (Associated Press) reported. “The medical examiner ruled (his) death a homicide caused by a police choke hold.”

“To prohibit prisoners from reading a book about race and the criminal legal system is not only misguided and harmful, but also violates the right to free speech under the First Amendment of the US Constitution and…the Arizona Constitution,” wrote Sykes.

The U.S. Supreme Court case, Turner v. Safley, makes an allowance for banning certain books in prisons if the ban serves penological interests such as preventing violence, riots, resistance, a work stoppage or anything that may jeopardize the safe- ty, security or orderly operation of an institution.

“Corrections does not have a blanket list of prohibited magazines, newspapers, books, or music,” the Republic reported.

The California Code of Regulations, Title 15, section 3134.1 (e), contains the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) Centralized List of Disapproved Publications. Books not included on the list are sometimes banned by officials arbitrarily and later challenged in court.

“Under certain circumstances, it is permissible to prevent incarcerated people from reading materials of their choosing,” Sykes wrote. “However, it is unconstitutional to censor a book that educates prisoners on how legal, penal, and other institutions have shaped their own lives and poses no threat to the safety and security of the facility.”

Butler, who is Black, wrote Chokehold after he was falsely accused of assault and arrested, “an event that dramatically changed his view of the justice system,” the Republic reported.

“During the trial, I experienced for myself a lot of things that defendants I’d prosecuted said were evidence of how unfair the system was: Police lied, witnesses who knew what happened didn’t come forward,” the Republic reported Butler telling The Guardian in 2017.

Butler said he was acquitted in ten minutes because “I could afford the best lawyer in the city, had legal skills and social standing, and because I was innocent.” But he said “the experience made a man out of me. It made a Black man out of me.”

When Chokehold was banned, the ACLU said Arizona corrections officials gave no explanation for it.

“I am concerned that many people in custody are subject to other illegal and unfair acts by jailers that most people on the outside never hear about,” Butler said to NPR. “Providing books to inmates promotes literacy, rehabilitation and civic engagement.”

According to Branigin’s blog, Sykes’ letter “points out that Chokehold explicitly dis- avows violence…” She also pointed to Georgia, North Carolina, Florida and Washington forbidding free books sent to prisoners.

After the ban was lifted, Sykes wrote a letter stating he is pleased Arizona corrections officials removed the ban on Chokehold. He did, however, state the long fight over what books prisoners can access is far from over, NPR reported. “These bans are taking place in prisons and jails around the country,” he told NPR.

In 2015, Prison Legal News sued the Arizona Department of Corrections for censorship after the department stopped allowing the monthly publication into its prisons. The department spokesman at that time, Andrew Wilder, told Capitol Media Services the department’s action was ensuring “the safe, secure and orderly operation of (its) prisons.”

“If rehabilitation is taken seriously and preparation for a life after prison is taken seriously, then prison officials have every interest in promoting education among those who are trying to understand how they got to where they are, and how to make sure they don’t come back,” Sykes said.

Prison to Employment Connection prepares men for the workforce

July 9, 2019 by Kevin.Sawyer

Prison to Employment Connection (PEC) at San Quentin graduated 44 men from its ninth session in June. The week before graduation, more than 40 business, career and education professionals attended Employer Day at the prison to do one-on-one interviews with the men.

PEC’s 15-week program prepares men to be “job ready” before paroling. According to statistics from Diana Williams, PEC executive director, 210 men have graduated from the program since 2015. Of that number, 96 have paroled and only one has returned to custody.

PEC volunteers, employers, career and education professionals at Employer Day

“We’re all here this after- noon to connect with each other,” said Williams, who discussed how recidivism rates run between 31% and 71%. For those who find employment after prison, the numbers are 3% to 8%. PEC outdoes those figures with its 1.41 % recidivism rate.

“At the beginning of the program, we promised you that we’d meet you halfway,” Williams said to the graduates. “I expect each of you to come see us when you get out because we’re here to help you.”

Inmate Norman Willhoite, 57, is serving a second prison term. He served 28 years the first time. With no clear direction when he was released, he went back to what he knew. He said the employers coming in give inmates an opportunity that wasn’t here 10 years ago. “It (PEC) gave me back self-confidence.”

“It’s a good program,” said inmate Jesse Buruca, 27. “I feel they (PEC) do provide the information you need to be able to prepare to be job ready.” He learned how to conduct himself at a job inter- view, “to be comfortable and be yourself.”

Prison to Employment Connection graduates and volunteers

Inmate Jaryd Newton, 31, said he recommends all in- mates take the class. “They’ve dedicated their hard work and time, and I can’t be more ap- preciative,” he said. “You guys (guests) didn’t look at us as inmates.”

West Oakland Job Resource Center interviewed inmate Hamisi X. Spears, 46, and discussed employment opportunities. The center provides apprentice training programs, job referrals and other services. “I really en- joyed this class,” said Spears. “It prepares you for the future. And it gives you the skills to help you get a job.”

“I learned there are more job opportunities than I thought for the formerly incarcerated,” said inmate Lemuel Brown, 57, who has been incarcerated for two years. “If you have to be here (in prison), don’t make it a total waste. I don’t see any other way to make an opportunity.”

Michael Erickson of SF Made attended PEC’s employer day for the first time. “This is incredible,” he said. “I’m absolutely blown away by this, I’m really glad I came up today.” His organization prepares people to interview who are involved with manufacturing, and holds careers in manufacturing workshops.

Mark Kidd, 35, an inmate who volunteers for PEC, participated in the program about two years ago. “When I went through the program, I saw how beneficial it was for us in- mates to parole with a job.” He returned to volunteer because he saw how much it helped him. He said looking at many younger inmates wasting time doing nothing, compared to those he’s helped, “is really a good feeling to give back.” He said PEC was genuine about helping the men. “I wanted to become one of those guys” (who help people).

“I think I have something to offer,” said inmate Robert Pol- zin, 43. He’s a PEC volunteer who graduated from the program in 2017. “It’s just been a great opportunity to offer my experience,” he said. “It seems like the job world is a little more liberal than it used to be.”

Jennifer Rudd from City College of San Francisco said she’s happy to represent its culinary arts basic train- ing and management, baking and pastry, and culinary and service skills training certificate programs. It was her third PEC appearance. “As usual, I’m super impressed with the preparation of the men,” she said.

Lisa Trustin, a first-time PEC volunteer, attended the workshops, employer day and graduation. “It has all the right elements to help someone get a job,” she said. She has a career counseling background, with 15 years as a career counselor. She learned about the program while volunteering with California Reentry Institute.

“I like helping the under- dog,” said PEC volunteer Gabrielle Nicolet. It was her fifth session. “This is the most inspiring place I’ve been.” For three and a half years, she’s volunteered at San Quentin. She said people always talk about helping others, but they’re generally not referring to incarcerated people be- cause so many people dislike prisoners, but no one needs help more than the incarcerated. “I like helping people who need it.”

Over the years, Nicolet has worked in different areas of the criminal justice system. She currently works as a defense paralegal. She received training from the University of the Pacific and is currently pursuing law school.

Other organizations that attended Employer Day were the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County, the District Council 16 Apprentice Program of Northern California, Saved By Grace, Positive Resource Center, Goodwill Industries, and CEO Works.

Oakland’s Private Industry Council was there to assist the men with reentry programs. Part of its stated mission is to “support the journey toward equitable sustainable employment.”

Before the men received their certificates at graduation, they offered comments and feedback to the PEC staff and inmate volunteers:

“I always thought I wasn’t employable.”

“I learned proper etiquette when talking to employers.”

“You’ve pushed me and helped me through this process.”

“Sometimes I gotta swallow my pride.”

“It takes a lot of courage to ask for help,” said Robert Frye, who often speaks at PEC graduations, to encourage the men. “It’s always bittersweet to see new and old faces,” he said. He paroled from San Quentin about five years ago after serving 25 years in prison. “I’m no better than you,” he told the men. “I just got lucky and got out.”

Frye did a quick question- and-answer session fielding inquiries such as how long did it take him to feel like a citizen? How’d you feel about technology? He said he felt normal in about six months, especially when he started paying bills. Because he was allowed to use computers in prison, he “adapted well” outside.

The men applauded Frye after listening to his inspirational speech and stories of his accomplishments after he paroled.

“Good luck is when preparation meets opportunity,” said Angel Falcone, an inmate PEC facilitator. “When you do the best you can, people won’t forget that and will help you.” He advised the men to think about the future, get a Roth IRA, to not depend on Social Security, and get medical insurance.

Clif Bar of Emeryville, Calif., worked with PEC again this session. Its human resources and other departments helped the men with resume writing and interview skills.

“It kind of humanizes the (prison) experience,” said Kim who works in HR at Clif Bar. “It really is about building partnerships.”

Alicia who works in marketing at Clif Bar didn’t know what to expect coming inside a prison. “It was really cool to see the growth and confidence built,” she said. “It’s very moving.”

Salesforce recruiter and volunteer resume writer, Laura Pedersen, heard about PEC through someone who comes in to play basketball with the inmates at San Quentin. “I like people to have hope,” she said. “I think it’s awesome.”

Williams said of the nine PEC sessions, this was only the second time that 100% of the men interviewed the same or better than people outside of prison. “You were better than the class that came before you.”

Williams provided inter- view statistics ranging from 1 as poor, 2 below average, 3 average, 4 above average, and 5 excellent. She said there were no scores of one or two. The men received the following ratings from employers:

1= 0%
2= 0%
3 = 19%
4 = 39%
5 = 42%
The height of the last four months came when each graduates’ name was called. One by one, they walked to the stage area, shook hands with the volunteers, and were handed certificates and packets of useful employment information that will help them transition back to society and enter the work force. Everyone applauded to support each other. At the end, Williams yelled, “Job.”

The graduates all responded with “Ready!” as part of PEC’s customary mantra.

Kevin D. Sawyer Honorary Award from PEN America

June 24, 2019 by Juan Haines

BOOK REVIEW

San Quentin News staffer, Kevin D. Sawyer received an honorable mention by PEN America. Out of thousands of submission annually, it’s a big deal in the prison literary world.

JH: What does getting an honorable mention by PEN America mean to you?

KDS: PEN America’s honorable mention raises my creative writing profile to a national level, in addition to the same type of recognition I’ve received for writing as a journalist through the Society of Professional Journalists and receiving The James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism. It’s always encouraging to receive recognition. It means I’m probably doing something right.

JH: What inspired Triple Sessions?

KDS: The start of football season always makes me look back at the years I played high school football. I was reading a couple books about football a few years ago and they made me recall the science behind the game. It made me think about the days in the summer when we practiced three times a day. It was like boot camp, but there was so much more involved. Only a boy who’s played multiple seasons of high school football can understand what it was to have been a member on a football team and all it took to be a part of that team. It’s like solider who goes through basic training and combat, you’ll always remember that—hopefully more good than bad. But, in the end, it was never about the sport, it was about the life lesson of teamwork.

JH: How does the inspiration for the story fit into how you see yourself today as opposed to then?

KDS: I realize even more today how important it is to be a team player— because none of us are in this world alone, because we’re interdependent on each other.

JH: Talk about the patriarchal perspective in that boys don’t cry — specifically when you broke your finger and you didn’t quit or tell anyone so that you could stay on the field.

KDS: It was part of the thinking of that time, and it’s probably still the thinking today. Boys are generally taught by men to be tough. Tears were a sign of weakness was the underlying message. But that was part of the psychology coaches used to keep us focused on what was important, and that was the team and the game. It’s why I tried to push through practice with a shattered finger. But as a man more than 40 years removed from that experience, it’s easier to understand why it was necessary to condition young men to operate that way. But it wasn’t about weakness or the game, none of that. It was about life. That’s what we were preparing for.

JH: Talk about violence being part of the game.

KDS: People tend to put violence in one bucket, like it’s all negative. Sometimes we fail to look at violence as part of American football, wrestling, MMA, basketball being a contact sport, even soccer or rugby, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a bad thing, as long as it’s controlled. When you can control your violence like in sports, that’s the ultimate self-control. Somewhere in the story, I wrote that violence in football has to be tempered with discipline. In a way, it makes sense because we’re all animals, but as men we have the ability to think at a higher level. Because of that, we can change our behavior. A lot of people don’t learn that, but that’s what a good coach teaches. They also teach us to not quit. Never. No matter what. Even if the score is 44 to nothing, we’re taught to play hard the full game. Vince Lombardi once said, “I never lost a football game, I just ran out of time.”

JH: Talk about three of your writings that best describe your style.

KDS: My writings pose the classic “Man verses State” scenario, sort of Kafkaesque. I try to push people to think, generally from a political perspective. In my creative writing class, I’ve also written The Award Winner’s Idiom and Power Distribution. Both deal with men facing state- sanctioned psychological and physical violence. My characters try to slow the state’s gradual march toward totalitarianism. That’s what all the movements are about today. If someone doesn’t come away with something profound to think about from my characters’ point of view, what’s the point in writing?

JH: Do you know what story you’re going to submit to PEN this year?

KDS: I’m thinking of submitting a memoir-based story my sister encouraged me to write about the struggle of two African-Americans earning their college degree. That’s a recurring theme in our community, but it’s an important subject when you consider our history in this country.