Brother Bey:
Brother Bey is a 60 year old African American man, father, and ex-offender, who runs his own organization called F.O.X.O. (Fraternal Order of Ex Offenders). He is wise, assertive, and a no nonsense talking individual who believes passionately that ex-offenders should be more involved in solving problems associated with recidivism, desistance, and a whole a range of criminal justice issues. His passion comes across is every syllable. He doesn’t mince words or waste them. Each statement is clearly articulated within a context that makes his arguments compelling. Brother Bey talks to me openly about his life, poor choices, the death of his son, and his philosophy about society in general. He makes it clear that he is not a victim, but was a willing participant in crime, that informs his current position as an advocate for ex-offenders. Brother Bey has many convincing arguments that are put in front of me with the speed of a racing car. I can also see where the potential conflict with his desire for academia to recognize his position arises. Universities are places of safety, hoarding ideas, and generating data that at times sits on shelves. Brother Bey wants to liberate this material and place it in the hands of those who can not only utilize the recommendations, but play a significant role in its implementation. Brother Bey reminds me about the UK situation and how my own desire to see more ex-offenders involved in designing and delivering programmes with disaffected youth can be thwarted by bureaucracy or plain fear. Brother Bey strengthens my argument for the development of a holistic space and dialogue where the academy, strategic players, and community are unified to bring about real and meaningful change
Jill:
Jill is an African American woman, mother of three children, who works at Johns Hopkins University. Her reflections of parenting are compelling. In discussion it is clear that she is a devoted single mother, who has some real concerns about the future of her children. Interestingly enough, her views centre not on a mother with young children, but more about parenting at a time when they are old enough to fend for themselves. She describes how her children have been kept away from the streets and are quite spoilt. However, she starts to feel awkward at the prospect of them having to engage with the streets without the right preparation. I talk to her about how she can break down some of the issues and repackage them to her children who are quite formed in their opinions and view of the world. Jill tells me that a lot of the materials available are formulaic, predictable, and at times not parent centred or friendly. As a parent myself I hear and feel the anxiety of the struggle we have in terms of ‘letting go’. Jill made me think about my own battles with dealing with older children. On the one hand we want them to get older, leave us, and find their own way in life. On the other we fear for their future and still want to maintain some level of control over how they journey through the difficulties’ in life. Jill’s conversation highlighted the need for the development of resources that are creative, innovative, and driven by parental need. As parents we are all like Jill. We want the best for our children, don’t want them to make the same mistakes as us, and more importantly we want to see them escape the pitfalls and problems we encountered. Modern living, the need to earn a living, and trying to survive in difficult circumstances robs many of us of the time required to do that job properly. I think of my mum. She did a good job, stayed with us throughout our growing years, was always available, and loved without judgment. It takes common sense, but as I know, sense is never common.
Phil:
Phil is an academic who cares passionately for the community in which he is firmly attached. Phil is a workhorse who is dependable, loyal, and is very insightful. He is a mover, shaker, and someone who is incredibly well networked. Phil occupies an uncomfortable space. Inasmuch as he is paid individual in Johns Hopkins University, where community at times is absent. He is also very active in trying to ensure the community has a voice in forums designed to affect some level of change. A very difficult and demanding job that at times can split loyalties and create its own stresses. I learn from Phil that you can’t be all things to all people, but you must be true to your own values and beliefs. In conversation with Phil I begin to see how I myself must address some of my own misgivings about the vested interests for my work and services. Like Phil I have tried to serve many different interests and at times succeeded. But most of the time the failure has been serving the needs of others, as opposed to the issue I’m representing. Phil challenged me on many levels. One of the most important areas that I was confronted with is in ‘How do you bring your ideas to fruition?’ Many of us have great ideas, can make them sound wonderful, and all appear to be exactly what is required. However, If the resources, systems, methodology, or implementation strategies are flawed, then what do we do. At the core of a lot of what I do is in the process of evaluation. What I’m learning from Phil, is there are many different type of evaluation as there are types of ideas. Phil forces me to confront something fundamental, how will bring about the changes I speak about in a rhetorical way? In conclusion more time must be spent on deliverable outcomes that are not only achievable but sustainable. Clearly a lot of food for thought.
Peace
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