Making the Normal, Normal (Combatting the Criminal Culture)

In the past week, our neighborhood has had 5 young men shot, one of which died. I was interviewed by a news reporter who had just left the scene of the murder. She informed me that while she was interviewing someone about the murder, she noticed children in the background laughing and twerking, as if they hadn’t just witnessed a murder! She was irate, and stopped the interview to address the children. They responded, “We (are) used to this”. She was at a loss for words.

That story illustrates the attitude in most of our inner city neighborhoods. Gunshots, murders, crime- they have all become normal. It is now socially acceptable for these things to occur in our neighborhoods. Violence and disrespect have become common, as common and regular as the mailman delivering the mail. It is expected now. The abnormal has become normal.

How do we combat this culture? The neighbors don't know how to respond. Many people have said that the task is too great, and they have moved to other places. Others have become recluses, and refuse to sit on their porches or allow their children to play outside. We (LifeLine to Success) see this as the perfect opportunity to make a difference and change the direction of our community. Many of our team members were the causes of these events. We are the reason that this sub-culture has not only survived, but has begun to thrive. We know what is needed to make the normal, normal again. It is our duty to make it happen.

Our classroom instruction has equipped the team members with the skills to combat negativity. Our community service efforts have instilled in them the sense of ownership and civic responsibility that makes them want to see the benefits of their labor. They have become enlightened and have accepted the charge. To combat this sub-culture, we plan to start sports leagues (beginning with baseball) to allow us constant access to the children, in order to give them tools to become successful adults. We will be the alternative to a life of negative behavior.

We cannot do this alone. It takes partnerships and the community coming together, working in harmony. We will SUCCEED!

Everyone Has Value

How do you show the world the value of a human being- one that has been classified as “less than” or unworthy of redemption? How do you convince the world that all men and women have potential and purpose. How do you convince those that are not directly affected by this plight to get involved and assist? And who is responsible for making sure these issues are addressed?

I sit in my office, frustrated and discouraged by the fact that “big business” has the ability to rally and apply pressure to ensure that their agendas are fulfilled. Yet, men and women that have no voice are being overlooked and left to fend for themselves. No one is rallying to make sure that convicted felons are able to provide for themselves and their families. Sure, “important people” will stop by and share a word, but will they become the voice of a voiceless, overlooked population.

I understand the fear that felony convictions cause. Society has labeled one that has committed such crimes that are of a felonious nature as being threats. While that is true for a segment of this population, the majority of us are not threats. We have seen the error of our ways and want to be accepted. So we will subject ourselves to conditions that are less than favorable, in an effort to show just how committed me are to transforming society’s image of us. We have vowed to outwork and outlast the general population. We have vowed to become vital assets to the community. We have vowed to change society’s view of us.

I believe that our work is valuable and essential to the transformation of our community. Who will stand and say that for us, though. Who will say that the work that we do (transforming the lives of those that have felony convictions and have had no desire to positively contribute to society before encountering our program) is so important that it can not be put in jeopardy? Who will partner with us and continue the momentum that we have begun?

We will not quit! I am a success. I matter. I am important. I am somebody special. I am NOT my crime. I am NOT my past. I am new. God loves me. I love me. I WILL SUCCEED!

Change Isn't Easy

Attempting to change a culture of negative behavior & attitudes is difficult work & sometimes it makes one wonder if the effort is worth it. This sub-culture of criminal behavior is so deeply embedded that it feels like I am attempting to dig a hole in a stone with a sponge. How does one “unlearn” what he has known as fact for his entire life? What factors will motivate him to live a different lifestyle- that is contrary to his normal and will cause him to be ostracized and mocked? How does one value something new and foreign, and often times uncomfortable and frightening? These are a few of the questions that I wrestle with on a daily basis, in order to find the right words and strategies to actually make a difference in the lives of our team members.

This criminal culture is filled with socially acceptable norms of negative behavior. Going to jail has become so common that many of those that live the life already have attorneys on retainer and they have bail money hidden away because they know they will eventually get caught. The sad thing is, those are normal and expected parts of life and that lifestyle. Jail is no longer a deterrent. It has become something that gives more credibility to those that go. People aren’t even ashamed to tell that their loved ones are locked up. How did this become ok?

So many negative behaviors have been embraced by our community that any ideas that are contrary to the negativity are unwelcomed. Now, residents allow criminal activity to take place next door, or across the street, or around the corner. They REFUSE to get involved and remove the infection! Good citizens that care about their neighbors and want safe environments are seen as snitches and nosey neighbors. So they hide in their homes and pray that no one intrudes on their privacy.

I have found that we will rally around a cause, but if there is no cause, men and women don’t seem to care. I don’t understand that train of thought. If an issue is present, we MIGHT get involved. If a teacher corrects a child and it is viewed by the parent as abusive, they will run to the school, ready to fight- without getting an understanding of the situation. But this same parent will allow the dope boys to shoot dice in front of his house because he wants to be accepted. And I want to teach him how to see the world from a completely different perspective- without changing his environment or giving him something for his trouble, something tangible that he can look at and see why what he is being taught is important. Needless to say, it’s not easy!
Value must first be instilled in the person. We must empower them to be whole.

Then, we enlist them in the fight and allow them to build value in others. Now, the issue is not about the man, it’s about the cause, which has been carefully and masterfully imparted into the man that is now fighting the fight. He can see the issues in the culture now, and he is ready to fight. He has his tangible mission that will bring about a change, not just for him, but for his family. And, if done correctly, he has an opportunity that is tangible, to earn a living while doing it. He has now become change! He is an example! Now the neighbors have proof. NOW WE HAVE TO TRAIN #2. A lot of energy is spent, but the return on that investment will be exponential.

LifeLine and ASD (Achievement School District)

When the news of a “state takeover” of the schools in Frayser was announced, our reaction was not a positive one. We feared that we would soon be overrun by strangers from parts of the country that do not understand the unique challenges our neighborhood provides. We felt that we would have no input and that our schools were being taken away because of our failures. That myth was soon dispelled by Superintendent Chris Barbic and his team. They came to Frayser asking all the right questions and looking to partner with the community. Frayser was looking for a partner that could provide resources and hope that we did not have access to. ASD was an answer to prayer.

LifeLine to Success, an ex-offender reentry program, welcomed the ASD and looked for ways to assist with their arrival. LifeLine is attempting to change the social paradigm in Frayser and the ASD has the ability to touch many more people than LifeLine. It was a perfect fit. So, LifeLine decided to do whatever that was in its power to assist ASD with its introduction into the community. We, LifeLine, wanted to build trust from the community immediately for the ASD. We joined in every event that was sponsored by the ASD, clad in our lime green BLIGHT PATROL shirts. We pray that helped solidify the ASD’s presence in Frayser. We are proud to be partners and we are committed to the success of the ASD. Thank you for joining our team. Let’s change the world.!

Reflections- How It All Began

Today I had the privilege of sharing the Word of God with the female inmates in Mark Luttrell Correctional Center. I love being able to go back and share with those that are still “behind the wall”. While sitting in my office, I found the letter that I wrote to my wife on 12-06-03, the night I preached my first message! I was an inmate at the Shelby County Correctional Center. The LeMoyne-Owen College Gospel Choir (LOCGC) provided the music.


While I was away at prison, “on vacation”, I wrote a letter to my wife every night, as a journal. She kept every last one of them. I’ve contemplated putting them together in book form, but I haven’t decided if anyone would be interested in reading it. In the meantime, I have decided to share some of them on our blog. I’ll share that letter now:

12-6-03

Hey! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! I just got back from church. I’ve been nervous all day, so I couldn’t write. I’ve been in deep meditation. I’ve been focused on my message. I love LOCGC and Mrs. Saulsberry. Tonight couldn’t have been any better. Mrs. Holloway even showed up. I want to write, but I’m just full. Mark this day. To see all of those souls didn’t make my day- it made my life. “Boys run in packs. It takes a man to stand alone”. For one night, I WAS FREE! I was right back in the choir. I’m so glad to know my purpose in my life. I have all the confirmation I need. I’ll write more about tonight tomorrow. But, I do want to add to what I wrote yesterday. He (God) has been preparing me since Junior High. I’ve been speaking in front of crowds since 8th grade. It had to be God because my first speech came at a time I had no idea would come. We had just consolidated 3 Junior High Schools together. I didn’t know a lot of people. The second day of school, we were all brought into the gym. Then, out of the blue, they had student government elections. I was nominated class president by my cousin, Michelle. I was up against 3 white girls. Remember, this is Arkansas and I believe we were in the minority. I won. I was President of our class until my Senior year, when I became Student Council President. I couldn’t be President of the class and Student Council at the same time. So I became V.P. It was funny. In 9th grade, I had several opponents. I won by a landslide. No one ran against me ever again. That was God. Mr. Ford, the principal, called a class meeting trying to get anyone to oppose me. NEVER! I had to give speeches to the class all the time. And my Senior year, I had to address the entire school at every event. I’d lead the Alma Mater and the Pledge of Allegiance. I became comfortable in front of people. He was preparing me then. But I ran away. Now I can’t run. That’s enough for tonight. My head is beginning to hurt. I’m too high! It’s almost 11pm and I’m still excited. Thank you for being in my corner. I love you. KEEP YOUR FAITH! GOOD NIGHT!

Why Do We Need LifeLine?

LifeLine to Success is a very unique program. I use the word program because it is our job to literally change the person that comes to us from a burden on society, one who has no desire to do anything constructive and is selfish, self-centered and greedy, into a person that is an asset to the community and is a positive role model. Our task is to deprogram and then reprogram. This job is not an easy one. Our clients have issues and habits that have been embedded in them for decades. Those issues and habits have become the comfort zone for them. Anything contrary to those issues and habits are seen as negative and unwanted, even though those are the very things needed to turn their lives in a positive direction.

We have had a tremendous amount of success because we love our clients. We aren’t looking for anything from them. We want to pour into them. Simple. The love that we have shown has allowed us to build lasting relationships with our clients and Lifeline to Success has become their new safehaven and comfort zone. That was never more evident that last week, on a day that I canceled class for lack of dedication and participation.

I sent everyone home through a message. I told Stonie to tell everyone to take the day off. When I pulled up, one of our clients was waiting on the bus. He asked me why I canceled class. I told him that I needed him to trust my judgment. He respected that and went on to explain to me why he did NOT want to go home.

“Mr. Brown, I wanna thank you for what you are doin for me at LifeLine. Mr. Brown I don’t wanna go home cause Ima drug deala and I don’t wanna do that no mo. If I go home, um around dope and folks sellin dope. If I try ta hang out wit my old friends, they all doin stuff ion do no mo. I NEED this Mr. Brown. PLEASE don’t make me go home. I gotta new family now. Ya’ll my family and I need ya’ll. PLEASE Mr. Brown, I wants ta work taday.”

It broke my heart to send him home. I told him to pray and hold on to the teaching and I would see him in the morning. He did. And he is still with us. His story is not the only one like that. Most of our clients don’t want to go home. They will come early and stay late. We have an environment that is inviting. They can just come up and hangout.

LifeLine to Success strives to be a beacon of hope for our community. We are a place where you can lay your burdens down. We will counsel you, talk with you, assist in any way that we have the ability. I love what I do. The heart aches and heartbreaks and frustrations are drastically minimized by the sight of our clients reunited with their families and feeling like a part of society again. Gotta love it!

Miss Urelene

While working in the Hyde Park Neighborhood with the BLIGHT PATROL, an older lady, that had had a little too much to drink came over and asked me, “Excuse me, sir, you don’t let ladies work?” (in her overly exaggerated voice). My reply was, “Yes”. She then proceeded to give me her resume verbally. I asked her how much she would charge me to rake a particular yard. She said, “Gimme $12. As a matter of fact, if you leave me some bags, I’ll rake all the yards you have cut on this street before you come back tomorrow.” So I left her some bags. And sure enough, the next morning, the grass had been bagged.

When she came around that next day, she asked if I would consider making her a part of the team. I asked if she was a convicted felon. She hesitated, not knowing what we do, and then said yes. I shocked her when I said, “Good.” At LifeLine, we are a program first and foremost. So, in order for someone to become a member of the work team, they must first join the program and volunteer for a considerable amount of time. I told her that and I told her to come around and we would try her out. In the midst of that, 3 young men from the neighborhood followed her lead and came on board with her.

Urelene is 56 years old, the oldest client in this class. When she met me 7 weeks ago, she was drunk and she wanted to work to earn some money to buy drugs. She was also homeless and she was sleeping wherever she could, mostly in terrible situations. When she came to work the second day, she was sober and ready for work. She worked hard and proved herself to me and to the team. She was the first outsider that I had allowed our group to be exposed to.

Miss Urelene worked for 4 weeks before she received her first stipend. She was doing great. She appeared to have kicked the drug habit and she was sober. She set the standard in the work ethic department. She was always there and always on time. She outworked her younger male counterparts.

The day after payday, Miss Urelene did not come to class. She was missing. I asked and no one knew where she was. So I went on with me day because I was late for a meeting. As my assistant and I drove down Hollywood, I passed the “track” (short for dope track, where drugs are bought and sold) and I saw who I thought was Miss Urelene walking in the parking lot of the store. I yelled to my assistant, “That was Urelene!” I drove about a block and I just had to turn around. When I got to the store, sure enough, it was her.

She had sat down on a box next to the juke joint. Her hair was in disarray. She was dirty. And she was drunk. When I got out of my truck and began to talk to her, I could feel her shame. I pleaded with her to get in the truck and ride with me, but she refused. She said that she did not want the men to see her in that condition. She cried and told me that she was sorry. I did everything in my power to assure her that she was not alone and that we were there to help her in anyway that we could.

The Blight Patrol has a uniform. It is a lime green T-shirt with LifeLine to Success on the front and BLIGHT PATROL on the back. Our clients take pride in that shirt. Miss Urelene told me that her shirt was in her bag, in another bag, because it didn’t need to be out there on the track. She didn’t say that she didn’t need to be on the track. She had found something to take pride in and value. LifeLine gave her that.

The next day, she was back at work. Since that day, we haven’t had to look for Miss Urelene. She is now sober, and living in the Salvation Army- away from the “track” and all of its temptations. She is a leader and all of the men love her. We were able to give her hope and a sense of purpose. We were able to assist her in becoming whole. And she is now our poster child for what our program is about. She is not shy about her past and she takes pride in the fact that the drugs and her old lifestyle did not take her out. Miss Urelene has also reconnected with her family. I am SO proud of her! She makes me get out of bed. She makes me keep pushing. Her testimony, along with everyone else’s, makes this work worthwhile