My beautiful father transitioned the morning of 4/1/22 at 75 years old. 💔
Less than two months ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (one of the most deadly) and was told he had months to live.
I am eternally grateful that I had a chance to say goodbye. That he wasn’t in pain in the last few weeks, that he looked back on his life with deep gratitude & made peace with death. That I got to write him a letter 6 weeks before he passed, the ending of which is what follows.
“I hate seeing you in pain, and I know that we all do, and yet I still can’t believe the amount of joy that I’ve still felt in getting to support and be close to you this past week. Getting to watch you in your sleep, as I’m sure you did to me as a child, wishing and hoping for the best. And like the hopeful pragmatist that you are, not facing away from the challenges that you knew would be ahead, but loving passionately with your whole spirit anyway and trusting that love and openness would still always be the best way to move through life’s challenges. I so wish you didn’t have the pain that has been waking you up at night. And also, I have loved the late evening, early morning moments, of quiet intimacy where our love for one another is present through the pain.
I don’t know what the rest of this journey will bring for you and for us or for how long it will last. I know, as you do, that there will likely be challenging moments ahead- that there will be pain and sorrow. But I am here for you with my love and support until you become a Beloved Ancestor. Even then, you will live as an always-remembered example me to me and the rest of the family and the people you have touched, as a Divine example of generosity of spirit, love and compassion. While this letter may be coming to an end, our relationship is not. I will think of you, I will speak to you, and I will love you forever and ever. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Dad, there has been no greater joy, no greater gift, and no greater honor, than being your beloved son.
With all of the love in the ever-expanding Universe,
Matt”
My beautiful father transitioned the morning of 4/1/22 at 75 years old. 💔
Less than two months ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (one of the most deadly) and was told he had months to live.
I am eternally grateful that I had a chance to say goodbye. That he wasn’t in pain in the last few weeks, that he looked back on his life with deep gratitude & made peace with death. That I got to write him a letter 6 weeks before he passed, the ending of which is what follows.
“I hate seeing you in pain, and I know that we all do, and yet I still can’t believe the amount of joy that I’ve still felt in getting to support and be close to you this past week. Getting to watch you in your sleep, as I’m sure you did to me as a child, wishing and hoping for the best. And like the hopeful pragmatist that you are, not facing away from the challenges that you knew would be ahead, but loving passionately with your whole spirit anyway and trusting that love and openness would still always be the best way to move through life’s challenges. I so wish you didn’t have the pain that has been waking you up at night. And also, I have loved the late evening, early morning moments, of quiet intimacy where our love for one another is present through the pain.
I don’t know what the rest of this journey will bring for you and for us or for how long it will last. I know, as you do, that there will likely be challenging moments ahead- that there will be pain and sorrow. But I am here for you with my love and support until you become a Beloved Ancestor. Even then, you will live as an always-remembered example me to me and the rest of the family and the people you have touched, as a Divine example of generosity of spirit, love and compassion. While this letter may be coming to an end, our relationship is not. I will think of you, I will speak to you, and I will love you forever and ever. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Dad, there has been no greater joy, no greater gift, and no greater honor, than being your beloved son.
With all of the love in the ever-expanding Universe,
Matt”
My beautiful father transitioned the morning of 4/1/22 at 75 years old. 💔
Less than two months ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (one of the most deadly) and was told he had months to live.
I am eternally grateful that I had a chance to say goodbye. That he wasn’t in pain in the last few weeks, that he looked back on his life with deep gratitude & made peace with death. That I got to write him a letter 6 weeks before he passed, the ending of which is what follows.
“I hate seeing you in pain, and I know that we all do, and yet I still can’t believe the amount of joy that I’ve still felt in getting to support and be close to you this past week. Getting to watch you in your sleep, as I’m sure you did to me as a child, wishing and hoping for the best. And like the hopeful pragmatist that you are, not facing away from the challenges that you knew would be ahead, but loving passionately with your whole spirit anyway and trusting that love and openness would still always be the best way to move through life’s challenges. I so wish you didn’t have the pain that has been waking you up at night. And also, I have loved the late evening, early morning moments, of quiet intimacy where our love for one another is present through the pain.
I don’t know what the rest of this journey will bring for you and for us or for how long it will last. I know, as you do, that there will likely be challenging moments ahead- that there will be pain and sorrow. But I am here for you with my love and support until you become a Beloved Ancestor. Even then, you will live as an always-remembered example me to me and the rest of the family and the people you have touched, as a Divine example of generosity of spirit, love and compassion. While this letter may be coming to an end, our relationship is not. I will think of you, I will speak to you, and I will love you forever and ever. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Dad, there has been no greater joy, no greater gift, and no greater honor, than being your beloved son.
With all of the love in the ever-expanding Universe,
Matt”
My beautiful father transitioned the morning of 4/1/22 at 75 years old. 💔
Less than two months ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (one of the most deadly) and was told he had months to live.
I am eternally grateful that I had a chance to say goodbye. That he wasn’t in pain in the last few weeks, that he looked back on his life with deep gratitude & made peace with death. That I got to write him a letter 6 weeks before he passed, the ending of which is what follows.
“I hate seeing you in pain, and I know that we all do, and yet I still can’t believe the amount of joy that I’ve still felt in getting to support and be close to you this past week. Getting to watch you in your sleep, as I’m sure you did to me as a child, wishing and hoping for the best. And like the hopeful pragmatist that you are, not facing away from the challenges that you knew would be ahead, but loving passionately with your whole spirit anyway and trusting that love and openness would still always be the best way to move through life’s challenges. I so wish you didn’t have the pain that has been waking you up at night. And also, I have loved the late evening, early morning moments, of quiet intimacy where our love for one another is present through the pain.
I don’t know what the rest of this journey will bring for you and for us or for how long it will last. I know, as you do, that there will likely be challenging moments ahead- that there will be pain and sorrow. But I am here for you with my love and support until you become a Beloved Ancestor. Even then, you will live as an always-remembered example me to me and the rest of the family and the people you have touched, as a Divine example of generosity of spirit, love and compassion. While this letter may be coming to an end, our relationship is not. I will think of you, I will speak to you, and I will love you forever and ever. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Dad, there has been no greater joy, no greater gift, and no greater honor, than being your beloved son.
With all of the love in the ever-expanding Universe,
Matt”
My beautiful father transitioned the morning of 4/1/22 at 75 years old. 💔
Less than two months ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (one of the most deadly) and was told he had months to live.
I am eternally grateful that I had a chance to say goodbye. That he wasn’t in pain in the last few weeks, that he looked back on his life with deep gratitude & made peace with death. That I got to write him a letter 6 weeks before he passed, the ending of which is what follows.
“I hate seeing you in pain, and I know that we all do, and yet I still can’t believe the amount of joy that I’ve still felt in getting to support and be close to you this past week. Getting to watch you in your sleep, as I’m sure you did to me as a child, wishing and hoping for the best. And like the hopeful pragmatist that you are, not facing away from the challenges that you knew would be ahead, but loving passionately with your whole spirit anyway and trusting that love and openness would still always be the best way to move through life’s challenges. I so wish you didn’t have the pain that has been waking you up at night. And also, I have loved the late evening, early morning moments, of quiet intimacy where our love for one another is present through the pain.
I don’t know what the rest of this journey will bring for you and for us or for how long it will last. I know, as you do, that there will likely be challenging moments ahead- that there will be pain and sorrow. But I am here for you with my love and support until you become a Beloved Ancestor. Even then, you will live as an always-remembered example me to me and the rest of the family and the people you have touched, as a Divine example of generosity of spirit, love and compassion. While this letter may be coming to an end, our relationship is not. I will think of you, I will speak to you, and I will love you forever and ever. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Dad, there has been no greater joy, no greater gift, and no greater honor, than being your beloved son.
With all of the love in the ever-expanding Universe,
Matt”
My beautiful father transitioned the morning of 4/1/22 at 75 years old. 💔
Less than two months ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (one of the most deadly) and was told he had months to live.
I am eternally grateful that I had a chance to say goodbye. That he wasn’t in pain in the last few weeks, that he looked back on his life with deep gratitude & made peace with death. That I got to write him a letter 6 weeks before he passed, the ending of which is what follows.
“I hate seeing you in pain, and I know that we all do, and yet I still can’t believe the amount of joy that I’ve still felt in getting to support and be close to you this past week. Getting to watch you in your sleep, as I’m sure you did to me as a child, wishing and hoping for the best. And like the hopeful pragmatist that you are, not facing away from the challenges that you knew would be ahead, but loving passionately with your whole spirit anyway and trusting that love and openness would still always be the best way to move through life’s challenges. I so wish you didn’t have the pain that has been waking you up at night. And also, I have loved the late evening, early morning moments, of quiet intimacy where our love for one another is present through the pain.
I don’t know what the rest of this journey will bring for you and for us or for how long it will last. I know, as you do, that there will likely be challenging moments ahead- that there will be pain and sorrow. But I am here for you with my love and support until you become a Beloved Ancestor. Even then, you will live as an always-remembered example me to me and the rest of the family and the people you have touched, as a Divine example of generosity of spirit, love and compassion. While this letter may be coming to an end, our relationship is not. I will think of you, I will speak to you, and I will love you forever and ever. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Dad, there has been no greater joy, no greater gift, and no greater honor, than being your beloved son.
With all of the love in the ever-expanding Universe,
Matt”
My beautiful father transitioned the morning of 4/1/22 at 75 years old. 💔
Less than two months ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (one of the most deadly) and was told he had months to live.
I am eternally grateful that I had a chance to say goodbye. That he wasn’t in pain in the last few weeks, that he looked back on his life with deep gratitude & made peace with death. That I got to write him a letter 6 weeks before he passed, the ending of which is what follows.
“I hate seeing you in pain, and I know that we all do, and yet I still can’t believe the amount of joy that I’ve still felt in getting to support and be close to you this past week. Getting to watch you in your sleep, as I’m sure you did to me as a child, wishing and hoping for the best. And like the hopeful pragmatist that you are, not facing away from the challenges that you knew would be ahead, but loving passionately with your whole spirit anyway and trusting that love and openness would still always be the best way to move through life’s challenges. I so wish you didn’t have the pain that has been waking you up at night. And also, I have loved the late evening, early morning moments, of quiet intimacy where our love for one another is present through the pain.
I don’t know what the rest of this journey will bring for you and for us or for how long it will last. I know, as you do, that there will likely be challenging moments ahead- that there will be pain and sorrow. But I am here for you with my love and support until you become a Beloved Ancestor. Even then, you will live as an always-remembered example me to me and the rest of the family and the people you have touched, as a Divine example of generosity of spirit, love and compassion. While this letter may be coming to an end, our relationship is not. I will think of you, I will speak to you, and I will love you forever and ever. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Dad, there has been no greater joy, no greater gift, and no greater honor, than being your beloved son.
With all of the love in the ever-expanding Universe,
Matt”
My beautiful father transitioned the morning of 4/1/22 at 75 years old. 💔
Less than two months ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (one of the most deadly) and was told he had months to live.
I am eternally grateful that I had a chance to say goodbye. That he wasn’t in pain in the last few weeks, that he looked back on his life with deep gratitude & made peace with death. That I got to write him a letter 6 weeks before he passed, the ending of which is what follows.
“I hate seeing you in pain, and I know that we all do, and yet I still can’t believe the amount of joy that I’ve still felt in getting to support and be close to you this past week. Getting to watch you in your sleep, as I’m sure you did to me as a child, wishing and hoping for the best. And like the hopeful pragmatist that you are, not facing away from the challenges that you knew would be ahead, but loving passionately with your whole spirit anyway and trusting that love and openness would still always be the best way to move through life’s challenges. I so wish you didn’t have the pain that has been waking you up at night. And also, I have loved the late evening, early morning moments, of quiet intimacy where our love for one another is present through the pain.
I don’t know what the rest of this journey will bring for you and for us or for how long it will last. I know, as you do, that there will likely be challenging moments ahead- that there will be pain and sorrow. But I am here for you with my love and support until you become a Beloved Ancestor. Even then, you will live as an always-remembered example me to me and the rest of the family and the people you have touched, as a Divine example of generosity of spirit, love and compassion. While this letter may be coming to an end, our relationship is not. I will think of you, I will speak to you, and I will love you forever and ever. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Dad, there has been no greater joy, no greater gift, and no greater honor, than being your beloved son.
With all of the love in the ever-expanding Universe,
Matt”
My beautiful father transitioned the morning of 4/1/22 at 75 years old. 💔
Less than two months ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (one of the most deadly) and was told he had months to live.
I am eternally grateful that I had a chance to say goodbye. That he wasn’t in pain in the last few weeks, that he looked back on his life with deep gratitude & made peace with death. That I got to write him a letter 6 weeks before he passed, the ending of which is what follows.
“I hate seeing you in pain, and I know that we all do, and yet I still can’t believe the amount of joy that I’ve still felt in getting to support and be close to you this past week. Getting to watch you in your sleep, as I’m sure you did to me as a child, wishing and hoping for the best. And like the hopeful pragmatist that you are, not facing away from the challenges that you knew would be ahead, but loving passionately with your whole spirit anyway and trusting that love and openness would still always be the best way to move through life’s challenges. I so wish you didn’t have the pain that has been waking you up at night. And also, I have loved the late evening, early morning moments, of quiet intimacy where our love for one another is present through the pain.
I don’t know what the rest of this journey will bring for you and for us or for how long it will last. I know, as you do, that there will likely be challenging moments ahead- that there will be pain and sorrow. But I am here for you with my love and support until you become a Beloved Ancestor. Even then, you will live as an always-remembered example me to me and the rest of the family and the people you have touched, as a Divine example of generosity of spirit, love and compassion. While this letter may be coming to an end, our relationship is not. I will think of you, I will speak to you, and I will love you forever and ever. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Dad, there has been no greater joy, no greater gift, and no greater honor, than being your beloved son.
With all of the love in the ever-expanding Universe,
Matt”
Repost from @minaa_b
“People have to want to help themselves in order for change to be successful. If you are the one doing all the hard work as the helper, while the person who is in need of help isn’t engaging in actionable change, you will drain yourself of your energy and that will most likely impact the relational dynamic.
The hard truth is that there are going to be people who you love and care for that don’t want your help. And you have to be willing and able to erect appropriate boundaries to respect their needs, while also ensuring you are preserving your energetic capacity.
Have you had this happen to you? How are you preserving your energetic boundaries as a helper?
#mindflwithminaa #boundaries #mentalhealthtips “
“5 Great Things To Stream” from @nytimes ♥️ #Archive81Netflix
(repost @epbleiweiss )
“5 Great Things To Stream” from @nytimes ♥️ #Archive81Netflix
(repost @epbleiweiss )
“Oh hi Mark” #Archive81Netflix @netflixgeeked
Gonna keep spamming y’all with Archive 81 content until we get news of a season 2 or until I run out of content 😜😂
This was definitely one of the most fun days on set. Lots (if not) too many laughs 🥲😂😅 @juliacchan @bobbijonapoletano
“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and A Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered of @common_justice
This is one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. It is an incredibly clear guide for why incarceration as a “safety response” to violence is not only ineffective, but causes more violence. With a deep practicality, it demonstrates the way that the system fails survivors of violence and provides powerful examples of restorative justice processes that truly moved my soul. Essential reading for abolition and #DefundThePolice .
“Choosing alternatives to prison in no way requires survivors to be forgiving or to be invested in the well-being of the person who hurt them. Early in Common Justice, a case was referred to us in which a boy- just fourteen years old- was badly beaten and robbed. The young man who did it was facing three years in prison. I went to speak to the survivor’s mother, to see whether she and her son wanted the young man who committed the crime to be given the opportunity to participate in Common Justice.
She said to me: ‘When I first found out about this, I wanted that young man to drown to death. And then I wanted him to burn to death. And then I realized as a mother that I don’t want either of those things. I want him to drown in a river of fire.
But three years from now, when my nine-year-old son is twelve, he is going to be coming to and from his aunt’s house, to and from school, to and from the corner store alone. And one day he’s going to walk by that young man. And I have to ask myself: when that day comes, do I want that young many to have been upstate or do I want him to have been with y’all?
And the truth is, while if that young man were before me today and I had my machete, I would chop him to bits, bury him under the house, and sleep soundly for the first night since he dared hurt my child, the truth is I’d rather him be with y’all.’
This mother did something I have since seen countless survivors do over and over again: she put aside an individual desire for revenge in the interest of what would secure the safety of her child and children like him.”
My Booklist:
bit.ly/mcgreads (link in bio)
#McGReads
“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and A Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered of @common_justice
This is one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. It is an incredibly clear guide for why incarceration as a “safety response” to violence is not only ineffective, but causes more violence. With a deep practicality, it demonstrates the way that the system fails survivors of violence and provides powerful examples of restorative justice processes that truly moved my soul. Essential reading for abolition and #DefundThePolice .
“Choosing alternatives to prison in no way requires survivors to be forgiving or to be invested in the well-being of the person who hurt them. Early in Common Justice, a case was referred to us in which a boy- just fourteen years old- was badly beaten and robbed. The young man who did it was facing three years in prison. I went to speak to the survivor’s mother, to see whether she and her son wanted the young man who committed the crime to be given the opportunity to participate in Common Justice.
She said to me: ‘When I first found out about this, I wanted that young man to drown to death. And then I wanted him to burn to death. And then I realized as a mother that I don’t want either of those things. I want him to drown in a river of fire.
But three years from now, when my nine-year-old son is twelve, he is going to be coming to and from his aunt’s house, to and from school, to and from the corner store alone. And one day he’s going to walk by that young man. And I have to ask myself: when that day comes, do I want that young many to have been upstate or do I want him to have been with y’all?
And the truth is, while if that young man were before me today and I had my machete, I would chop him to bits, bury him under the house, and sleep soundly for the first night since he dared hurt my child, the truth is I’d rather him be with y’all.’
This mother did something I have since seen countless survivors do over and over again: she put aside an individual desire for revenge in the interest of what would secure the safety of her child and children like him.”
My Booklist:
bit.ly/mcgreads (link in bio)
#McGReads
“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and A Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered of @common_justice
This is one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. It is an incredibly clear guide for why incarceration as a “safety response” to violence is not only ineffective, but causes more violence. With a deep practicality, it demonstrates the way that the system fails survivors of violence and provides powerful examples of restorative justice processes that truly moved my soul. Essential reading for abolition and #DefundThePolice .
“Choosing alternatives to prison in no way requires survivors to be forgiving or to be invested in the well-being of the person who hurt them. Early in Common Justice, a case was referred to us in which a boy- just fourteen years old- was badly beaten and robbed. The young man who did it was facing three years in prison. I went to speak to the survivor’s mother, to see whether she and her son wanted the young man who committed the crime to be given the opportunity to participate in Common Justice.
She said to me: ‘When I first found out about this, I wanted that young man to drown to death. And then I wanted him to burn to death. And then I realized as a mother that I don’t want either of those things. I want him to drown in a river of fire.
But three years from now, when my nine-year-old son is twelve, he is going to be coming to and from his aunt’s house, to and from school, to and from the corner store alone. And one day he’s going to walk by that young man. And I have to ask myself: when that day comes, do I want that young many to have been upstate or do I want him to have been with y’all?
And the truth is, while if that young man were before me today and I had my machete, I would chop him to bits, bury him under the house, and sleep soundly for the first night since he dared hurt my child, the truth is I’d rather him be with y’all.’
This mother did something I have since seen countless survivors do over and over again: she put aside an individual desire for revenge in the interest of what would secure the safety of her child and children like him.”
My Booklist:
bit.ly/mcgreads (link in bio)
#McGReads
“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and A Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered of @common_justice
This is one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. It is an incredibly clear guide for why incarceration as a “safety response” to violence is not only ineffective, but causes more violence. With a deep practicality, it demonstrates the way that the system fails survivors of violence and provides powerful examples of restorative justice processes that truly moved my soul. Essential reading for abolition and #DefundThePolice .
“Choosing alternatives to prison in no way requires survivors to be forgiving or to be invested in the well-being of the person who hurt them. Early in Common Justice, a case was referred to us in which a boy- just fourteen years old- was badly beaten and robbed. The young man who did it was facing three years in prison. I went to speak to the survivor’s mother, to see whether she and her son wanted the young man who committed the crime to be given the opportunity to participate in Common Justice.
She said to me: ‘When I first found out about this, I wanted that young man to drown to death. And then I wanted him to burn to death. And then I realized as a mother that I don’t want either of those things. I want him to drown in a river of fire.
But three years from now, when my nine-year-old son is twelve, he is going to be coming to and from his aunt’s house, to and from school, to and from the corner store alone. And one day he’s going to walk by that young man. And I have to ask myself: when that day comes, do I want that young many to have been upstate or do I want him to have been with y’all?
And the truth is, while if that young man were before me today and I had my machete, I would chop him to bits, bury him under the house, and sleep soundly for the first night since he dared hurt my child, the truth is I’d rather him be with y’all.’
This mother did something I have since seen countless survivors do over and over again: she put aside an individual desire for revenge in the interest of what would secure the safety of her child and children like him.”
My Booklist:
bit.ly/mcgreads (link in bio)
#McGReads
“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and A Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered of @common_justice
This is one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. It is an incredibly clear guide for why incarceration as a “safety response” to violence is not only ineffective, but causes more violence. With a deep practicality, it demonstrates the way that the system fails survivors of violence and provides powerful examples of restorative justice processes that truly moved my soul. Essential reading for abolition and #DefundThePolice .
“Choosing alternatives to prison in no way requires survivors to be forgiving or to be invested in the well-being of the person who hurt them. Early in Common Justice, a case was referred to us in which a boy- just fourteen years old- was badly beaten and robbed. The young man who did it was facing three years in prison. I went to speak to the survivor’s mother, to see whether she and her son wanted the young man who committed the crime to be given the opportunity to participate in Common Justice.
She said to me: ‘When I first found out about this, I wanted that young man to drown to death. And then I wanted him to burn to death. And then I realized as a mother that I don’t want either of those things. I want him to drown in a river of fire.
But three years from now, when my nine-year-old son is twelve, he is going to be coming to and from his aunt’s house, to and from school, to and from the corner store alone. And one day he’s going to walk by that young man. And I have to ask myself: when that day comes, do I want that young many to have been upstate or do I want him to have been with y’all?
And the truth is, while if that young man were before me today and I had my machete, I would chop him to bits, bury him under the house, and sleep soundly for the first night since he dared hurt my child, the truth is I’d rather him be with y’all.’
This mother did something I have since seen countless survivors do over and over again: she put aside an individual desire for revenge in the interest of what would secure the safety of her child and children like him.”
My Booklist:
bit.ly/mcgreads (link in bio)
#McGReads
“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and A Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered of @common_justice
This is one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. It is an incredibly clear guide for why incarceration as a “safety response” to violence is not only ineffective, but causes more violence. With a deep practicality, it demonstrates the way that the system fails survivors of violence and provides powerful examples of restorative justice processes that truly moved my soul. Essential reading for abolition and #DefundThePolice .
“Choosing alternatives to prison in no way requires survivors to be forgiving or to be invested in the well-being of the person who hurt them. Early in Common Justice, a case was referred to us in which a boy- just fourteen years old- was badly beaten and robbed. The young man who did it was facing three years in prison. I went to speak to the survivor’s mother, to see whether she and her son wanted the young man who committed the crime to be given the opportunity to participate in Common Justice.
She said to me: ‘When I first found out about this, I wanted that young man to drown to death. And then I wanted him to burn to death. And then I realized as a mother that I don’t want either of those things. I want him to drown in a river of fire.
But three years from now, when my nine-year-old son is twelve, he is going to be coming to and from his aunt’s house, to and from school, to and from the corner store alone. And one day he’s going to walk by that young man. And I have to ask myself: when that day comes, do I want that young many to have been upstate or do I want him to have been with y’all?
And the truth is, while if that young man were before me today and I had my machete, I would chop him to bits, bury him under the house, and sleep soundly for the first night since he dared hurt my child, the truth is I’d rather him be with y’all.’
This mother did something I have since seen countless survivors do over and over again: she put aside an individual desire for revenge in the interest of what would secure the safety of her child and children like him.”
My Booklist:
bit.ly/mcgreads (link in bio)
#McGReads
“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and A Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered of @common_justice
This is one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. It is an incredibly clear guide for why incarceration as a “safety response” to violence is not only ineffective, but causes more violence. With a deep practicality, it demonstrates the way that the system fails survivors of violence and provides powerful examples of restorative justice processes that truly moved my soul. Essential reading for abolition and #DefundThePolice .
“Choosing alternatives to prison in no way requires survivors to be forgiving or to be invested in the well-being of the person who hurt them. Early in Common Justice, a case was referred to us in which a boy- just fourteen years old- was badly beaten and robbed. The young man who did it was facing three years in prison. I went to speak to the survivor’s mother, to see whether she and her son wanted the young man who committed the crime to be given the opportunity to participate in Common Justice.
She said to me: ‘When I first found out about this, I wanted that young man to drown to death. And then I wanted him to burn to death. And then I realized as a mother that I don’t want either of those things. I want him to drown in a river of fire.
But three years from now, when my nine-year-old son is twelve, he is going to be coming to and from his aunt’s house, to and from school, to and from the corner store alone. And one day he’s going to walk by that young man. And I have to ask myself: when that day comes, do I want that young many to have been upstate or do I want him to have been with y’all?
And the truth is, while if that young man were before me today and I had my machete, I would chop him to bits, bury him under the house, and sleep soundly for the first night since he dared hurt my child, the truth is I’d rather him be with y’all.’
This mother did something I have since seen countless survivors do over and over again: she put aside an individual desire for revenge in the interest of what would secure the safety of her child and children like him.”
My Booklist:
bit.ly/mcgreads (link in bio)
#McGReads
“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and A Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered of @common_justice
This is one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. It is an incredibly clear guide for why incarceration as a “safety response” to violence is not only ineffective, but causes more violence. With a deep practicality, it demonstrates the way that the system fails survivors of violence and provides powerful examples of restorative justice processes that truly moved my soul. Essential reading for abolition and #DefundThePolice .
“Choosing alternatives to prison in no way requires survivors to be forgiving or to be invested in the well-being of the person who hurt them. Early in Common Justice, a case was referred to us in which a boy- just fourteen years old- was badly beaten and robbed. The young man who did it was facing three years in prison. I went to speak to the survivor’s mother, to see whether she and her son wanted the young man who committed the crime to be given the opportunity to participate in Common Justice.
She said to me: ‘When I first found out about this, I wanted that young man to drown to death. And then I wanted him to burn to death. And then I realized as a mother that I don’t want either of those things. I want him to drown in a river of fire.
But three years from now, when my nine-year-old son is twelve, he is going to be coming to and from his aunt’s house, to and from school, to and from the corner store alone. And one day he’s going to walk by that young man. And I have to ask myself: when that day comes, do I want that young many to have been upstate or do I want him to have been with y’all?
And the truth is, while if that young man were before me today and I had my machete, I would chop him to bits, bury him under the house, and sleep soundly for the first night since he dared hurt my child, the truth is I’d rather him be with y’all.’
This mother did something I have since seen countless survivors do over and over again: she put aside an individual desire for revenge in the interest of what would secure the safety of her child and children like him.”
My Booklist:
bit.ly/mcgreads (link in bio)
#McGReads
“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and A Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered of @common_justice
This is one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. It is an incredibly clear guide for why incarceration as a “safety response” to violence is not only ineffective, but causes more violence. With a deep practicality, it demonstrates the way that the system fails survivors of violence and provides powerful examples of restorative justice processes that truly moved my soul. Essential reading for abolition and #DefundThePolice .
“Choosing alternatives to prison in no way requires survivors to be forgiving or to be invested in the well-being of the person who hurt them. Early in Common Justice, a case was referred to us in which a boy- just fourteen years old- was badly beaten and robbed. The young man who did it was facing three years in prison. I went to speak to the survivor’s mother, to see whether she and her son wanted the young man who committed the crime to be given the opportunity to participate in Common Justice.
She said to me: ‘When I first found out about this, I wanted that young man to drown to death. And then I wanted him to burn to death. And then I realized as a mother that I don’t want either of those things. I want him to drown in a river of fire.
But three years from now, when my nine-year-old son is twelve, he is going to be coming to and from his aunt’s house, to and from school, to and from the corner store alone. And one day he’s going to walk by that young man. And I have to ask myself: when that day comes, do I want that young many to have been upstate or do I want him to have been with y’all?
And the truth is, while if that young man were before me today and I had my machete, I would chop him to bits, bury him under the house, and sleep soundly for the first night since he dared hurt my child, the truth is I’d rather him be with y’all.’
This mother did something I have since seen countless survivors do over and over again: she put aside an individual desire for revenge in the interest of what would secure the safety of her child and children like him.”
My Booklist:
bit.ly/mcgreads (link in bio)
#McGReads
“Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and A Road to Repair” by Danielle Sered of @common_justice
This is one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. It is an incredibly clear guide for why incarceration as a “safety response” to violence is not only ineffective, but causes more violence. With a deep practicality, it demonstrates the way that the system fails survivors of violence and provides powerful examples of restorative justice processes that truly moved my soul. Essential reading for abolition and #DefundThePolice .
“Choosing alternatives to prison in no way requires survivors to be forgiving or to be invested in the well-being of the person who hurt them. Early in Common Justice, a case was referred to us in which a boy- just fourteen years old- was badly beaten and robbed. The young man who did it was facing three years in prison. I went to speak to the survivor’s mother, to see whether she and her son wanted the young man who committed the crime to be given the opportunity to participate in Common Justice.
She said to me: ‘When I first found out about this, I wanted that young man to drown to death. And then I wanted him to burn to death. And then I realized as a mother that I don’t want either of those things. I want him to drown in a river of fire.
But three years from now, when my nine-year-old son is twelve, he is going to be coming to and from his aunt’s house, to and from school, to and from the corner store alone. And one day he’s going to walk by that young man. And I have to ask myself: when that day comes, do I want that young many to have been upstate or do I want him to have been with y’all?
And the truth is, while if that young man were before me today and I had my machete, I would chop him to bits, bury him under the house, and sleep soundly for the first night since he dared hurt my child, the truth is I’d rather him be with y’all.’
This mother did something I have since seen countless survivors do over and over again: she put aside an individual desire for revenge in the interest of what would secure the safety of her child and children like him.”
My Booklist:
bit.ly/mcgreads (link in bio)
#McGReads
