One Strike and You Are Out: Can Education Alone Solve This Problem?

I recently walked over 195 miles from what will be the new location of Ward College in Chicago, Illinois to the state capitol in Springfield, Illinois. I did this for two reasons. First, I wanted to raise awareness about the arbitrary consequences individuals face after an arrest or conviction. Secondly, I wanted to raise funds towards the development and opening of Ward College on the Southside of Chicago. When I began the walk (in an orange jumpsuit with IDOC stenciled on the back), my thoughts were of the over 50,000 men, 80 percent of whom are African American and Hispanic, in jail or prison across Illinois.

For those of you who think Chicago when you hear Illinois, I don’t much blame you. In the latest statewide election for governor, the only county won by the democratic candidate was Cook County (home of Chicago). Every other county (101) in the state voted overwhelmingly for the Republican candidate. This geographic divide meant that each county I walked in was a “red” county. In planning the walk I must admit that I was afraid of a “racial” problem with both citizens and law enforcement.

As I entered Grundy County, Illinois I was met by the Sheriff (true story) at the county line. He was nice and actually knew why I was walking. He gave me a donation for Ward College and then kindly suggested that I walk through the county……as fast as possible. I’m a 6’3”, 270lb, African American man. Not much frightens me, but a Sheriff warning me about my personal safety as I walk Route 66 in rural Illinois is scary. I’m not actually a brave person, but I’m smart enough to understand and act on a friendly warning.

As I began to walk through the county, I encountered a strange phenomenon. People began to stop me and offer donations, water, food and even prayers for a safe journey. These kind folks will NEVER understand how they scared the HELL out of me at first. Honestly, I didn’t know what to think when the first car pulled up on me to say Hi. I soon learned that word of my journey was trending through the grapevine and eventually the media as well of these towns. Furthermore, the citizens of Grundy County were out on those back roads, looking for me. They were ALL white. They were all nice. They all offered a kind word. Most made a donation, while some brought me food or else later went and bought food. Almost all had a story to tell.

The following is an unedited letter from someone I will call Vanessa. I can’t do Vanessa’s story justice, so I will let her tell you, in her words……

Hi there! Just wanted to send a message and wish you luck on your journey! I don't believe people are their pasts and people are capable of change. I don't think everyone is, but most are and having more opportunities and outlets for rehabilitation is needed. My biggest hurdle lately is finding out that a judge has the ability to hand down a life sentence, even a death sentence, but does not have the power or authority to decide whether a person has made positive changes in their lives. I fully support our law enforcement and the people who work in the system, but it is not news that the system is broken.

It might make more sense if you knew more about me lol. I spent my childhood being sexually abused, I became a mother at 16, I have been arrested for battery and one domestic misdemeanor (that was reduced to less than a domestic but my name is still connected to the domestic) for taking my daughter from her father at the end of a weekend visitation.

My daughter is 13, my domestic was 11 years ago, I have earned an associates in criminal justice, a bachelor's in psychology, and I am currently working on a Master's in Mental Health counseling. My goal is to earn a doctorate and become a neuropsychologist. Five minutes of my life from almost 12 years ago has the ability to keep me from being licensed as a counselor and the ability to work with any population that is vulnerable (children, elderly, disabled, even animals). I can't even volunteer. I wanted so badly to volunteer with CASA which assigns a person to be a child or children's voice in the chaos of being placed in foster care.

Expunging that incident isn't possible because of the law, mostly because the judge overseeing the expungement cannot make a decision based on what you've done since to make a difference. I wish you luck! You've already raised awareness in a big way and I hope you continue to make a difference until someone hears you and makes the change! Thank you!

Thanks again for sharing your story, Vanessa. Sometimes, even though we change, society does not. What I learned on that, my third, day of walking was that life after an arrest or criminal conviction has NO color or race. This isn’t an African American or Hispanic problem. Discrimination against former offenders is a problem without race, creed or color. We are ALL second class citizens, and many others in the world are somehow dehumanized as well, as they do not feel free to give us a real second chance as people in society.