From the Outside you hear
“Drug bust in the West Grove”
And you cheer,
Another criminal down
Less thugs on the streets
More people in jail
No more drugs on the streets
So you think

From the Inside we see
another side of the story
We’ve seen this happen before
So we’re not quick to cheer
People are still coming into our hood to buy
So there will always be supply
As one goes into jail
Another one gets out
Determined to get a respectable job this time
But bills catch up to him
And stomachs are empty
No calls back for reputable work
So he goes back to what will get him some quick cash

Not trying to excuse any wrong done
But I just want you to see behind what you read in the paper
Take a look inside
To the other side of my friend behind bars
He’s that “uncle” my nieces and nephew run to
Joining them in their waterballoon war
The one who fries the thanksgiving turkeys
Bringing us remedies and flowers when we’re sick
Telling off guys who try to bother me
Checking our gardens to make sure we’re taking care of them
Always with a ready smile and helping hand
Yes, this is my friend
Not quite the thugged out criminal you pictured?

He was one of those students who sat on the front row
Telling on others who cheated
Crying when he didn’t get an A
But times got hard for mama
She didn’t have the money
To buy him shoes at the start of a new school year
As he lamented his plight
Imagining the ridicule
A bag of crack was placed in his hands
And in no time he had those new shoes
And then new clothes
And then money to go out
And then a new car
And then….

He left it all, when he was at the heights
He met Christ
And his life was transformed
A year later he’s back in school
Trying to get his degree
Working 45 hours
Married to his baby’s mama
Doing everything to be a good father
Trying to pull others out
Of where he once was

This is the only hope I have
So don’t be mad when I tell you
I’m not happy my friend is in jail
There is such a thing
As love that hates the actions
But loves the person
It is this love that can transform
The system does not love
Prison does not love
Programs do not love
But I believe in One
Who died for Love
And this Love can conquer all
From the inside out.

Posted on October 7th, 2009 by Laurie Cook
Filed under: News, Reflections from the Streets