Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Sixteen million and counting. Sad but true

Before you read this I copied it, but agree with it and honestly its the plain and simple truth. People will never understand why I stay by my husband (but families are standing by men and women who have done worse I'm sure) anyway this article was written by the woman who founded a support group for inmate families in New York.

Sixteen million & counting. We are everywhere.


Think about it For those who forget that the incarcerated humans in this country are indeed just that - HUMAN - I would like you to think on this the next time you talk about "inmates, criminals, convicts, etc...". These humans have families and those who love them despite whatever they did. Look around you and wonder, because this is who we are....




We take care of your children and grandchildren in nursery schools, we give them shots in the doctor's office, we are dental assistants, we are school teachers and Sunday school teachers, we stand behind you in the grocery store, we prepare your medicine in the drug store, we work in banks, we approve your loans, we service your insurance claims, we work for newspapers, TV stations and radio stations, we read your electric meters and water meters, we are your landlords, your neighbors, we take care of your elderly parents in nursing homes, we are nurses, lab technicians, X-ray technicians, we own beauty shops, flower shops, printing shops, we are welders, plumbers, tree trimmers, we work for the IRS, the State Dept., in the courthouse, schools, churches, drug stores and toy stores, we are legal secretaries, lawyers, school board members, we are bus drivers, we prepare meals for your kids in school, we are city council members, bank tellers, we process your checking account, your saving account, we work at your Social Security office, your insurance company, we take care of your IRA, stocks, bonds, we sell your kids bikes, school supplies, clothes, shoes, eyeglasses, we repair your cars, we are real estate agents, car dealers, college professors, psychologists, administrative assistants, safety engineers and ranchers. We work at Ralphs, Albertsons, Trader Joe's, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Macy's, Nordstrom and Saks 5th Avenue. We sell Avon and Tupperware. We are not all "on welfare", no matter what the government would like you to think.... See More



There are two million people in prison in America and twice that many on parole and probation. Add in mothers, fathers, children, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends and about sixteen million people are personally affected by the prison system in the United States.... See More



We are tired of letting ourselves feel humiliated or embarrassed because our loved one is in prison. WE did nothing wrong, and they are paying for their crime!



We are tired of fearing the loss of our jobs or evictions from our housing should anyone find out we have a loved one in prison.



We are tired of being made to feel inferior or unwelcome in churches, clubs, organizations or society in general simply because we refuse to abandon our loved ones.



We are ready to unite, to come out of hiding and openly support each other and our loved ones. It's a new day, America and we're here to prove it!



We are ready to speak out against the "they deserve what they get" attitude we hear you talk about in stores, theaters and restaurants.



We number in the millions, we are everywhere, every state, county, city and town. We may even live next door to you.



Sixteen million & counting. We are everywhere.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Gin, thank you so much for this post AWESOME AND SO TRUE!! aS SOME OF YOU READERS KNOW BY NOW, I AM Gin's MOTHER-IN-LAW j'Mom, and i am very proud of both of them. Gin is every Momz dream as a wonderful wife to my son and awesome Mom to my grandchildren, i love her dearly. J is such a wonderful person, great friend to all wonderful husband Father and Son, I AM SO PROUD OF HIM. some things i love about them, they both share a love and bond together that we all have dreamed of, they have an awesome ability and gift of reaching out to help others, one of the reasons for their blog here. Thru all they face , as you see in the picture, they allways smile. Oh yes, i cry, i miss him soo much, it helps so much to share with Gin and with J.
Again, thank you both 4 this blog, thanks Gin for this post SOOO TRUE
I love you both so much
I truly believe God has a purpose for everything...and i personally believe God uses this blog to reach out to others, and let them know he has sent others to reach out.
Love,
J'sMom