A Missive From Behind The Walls

by E. L. I. (excerpt from the book Man-U-Script)
We are strength and struggle. We are stereotyped, oppressed, optimistic, and ignorant. We are violent, lost, and misguided. We are righteous, humble, troubled, gifted, and talented. We are separated. We are incarcerated.

My message to the young Black men out there is please brothers, don’t let this be you. Understand your gift early, your talent, and righteous living. If you don’t, you might find yourself in a similar situation as myself – incarcerated, serving 45 to life for a crime I didn’t commit.

My running the streets brought on my present condition. Do you see how karma works? Even though I’m innocent of the crime for which I’m serving, I was no angel. I surrounded myself with negativity, and now look. I believe and see that this is a wake-up call for me, because I am wiser now, educated, righteous, talented, gifted, and humble. I am struggle and strength. I will get another chance at life.

Before any of my brothers out there make this mistake, I encourage you to do right from the gate. This will make your whole life straight. If no one is around to teach you righteousness or how to live upright, just learn from those of us who came before you. You don’t have to make the same mistakes. Watch our wrong moves and purposely choose not to make them yourself. Read a lot of good information and books of substance, and you’ll begin to teach yourself. There’s so much more that I would like to express to my brothers, but this is a collective message. Hopefully, my other Black brothers will convey what’s needed to uplift our Black men.

There are real life stories, messages, as well as knowledge to be learned from the music of my words. So, until we link again Black man, stand up. It’s our time.