Seeing the pride on the faces of the men of San Quentin could not compare with the pride held by family members that where in attendance for the 2008 Graduation celebration. This pride was evident by the tears and joy displayed throughout the ceremony. Wives, Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Sons and Daughters /Friends in most cases had never seen their loved one complete or graduate from anything before.
A day to remember. This was not the first time that I had attended a graduation ceremony at San Quentin. Both experiences were quite special in a unique way, but this time I was there to develop a story surrounding the event. So I thought; “life has a funny way of up-staging prepared plans.”
So I got there early and started to observe organized chaos playing out; a host of volunteers assisting with the preparation, men being fitted with graduation robes and family member filing into the chapel where the ceremony took place. And all kinds of supporters; program sponsors, volunteer teachers from local universities associated with Patten College and the Prison University Project……
SQ staff, program instructors, quest speakers……. the energy was boiling; one would think this was preparation for a major concert. So I’m thinking, who do I interview first – how am I going to fully capture the essence of this day? Then; I spotted the SQ film production crew who were also producing a piece surrounding the event for a documentary they were working on.
Me being a born net-worker, I asked “Can we work together?” Marvin Andrews replied “No problem.” And then Troy Williams followed up with “Let’s do this.” Then there was Lonny Morris, of SQTV, setting up to do film interviews as well. So all I have to do is take notes and be at the right place at the right time and SQ news will be ok. Then Willie Rahman Green walks into the garden chapel area with his family; his wife Mary and their son. Mary had also attended her husband’s graduation in 2002 in this same exact chapel. She was also filled with pride and joy this time for an altogether different reason. All attention focused on him as if he was a rock star – with everybody in line to embrace a man who had become a friend/mentor to so many, including me.
As he approached we embraced and he said “I don’t know if I’m going to make it big fellow.” His knees buckled. I said “You already have.” Overwhelmed by the reality that the last time he in stood in this same exact spot; dressed in blue, just over 90 days ago; and that he had resided in this same prison for over a decade. WOW! Oh what difference a day makes!
Warden Ayers allowed history to be made in San Quentin on this day by giving Mr. Green an opportunity to return shortly after being released from his conviction, which was overturned after 25 years. A man who had always professed his innocence, one of the things that always stood out about Rahman was that he never lost hope, and he kept his dignity and integrity intact even though there were times when it seemed as if justice would never prevail.
Rahman spent the majority of his time working in the prison library teaching and sharing knowledge with others including some of the graduates he spoke in front of at the ceremony. After his speech Rahman went down to the peer education building and spoke in front of a group of men in a pre-release class held by Mr. Shimel and continued his words of wisdom. On his way back he decided to walk instead of riding in the cart with his family. One of his long time friends Demetrius ‘Flip’ Daniel recalls when the alarm went off and all the prisoners got down as is customary. Rahman did so as well in his tailored white suit. Flip believed that it was not done because he was brain washed, but, as a gesture of solidarity and love/respect for his brothers in blue. Seeing the faces of the proud families was well worth the price of admission, alone.
But listening to Julio Medina chronicling his journey in becoming a productive citizen was encouraging to say the least. Just to witness a man who had once walked in the same shoes as many of us had. As Medina stood and presented his message of hope to the audience, he enabled us all to envision a snap shot of what is possible when you apply yourself and utilize the time to re-educate oneself.
