By Jess Lawson, Free Minds Intern
“It means that somebody cares, even if they don’t know you,” said Gary, a Free Minds member and Poet Ambassador who is starting his first semester at college this spring. Indeed, connecting people who care is the reigning anthem of Free Minds, and, as I’m learning every day as a new intern, is evident in everything they do. One of Free Minds’ most well-known programs is the monthly Write Night, where community volunteers have a chance to gather alongside Free Minds Reentry Support members home from prison to provide feedback on the poems of Book Club members still incarcerated.
On this particular Wednesday afternoon in January, Free Minds brought the Write Night model to the US Department of Education.
Dept. of Ed. staff read and comment on the poetry displayed on the Free Minds Write Board.
As staff members from several different offices flooded to the first floor for their lunch break, many had a chance to first participate in an interactive Free Minds bulletin board. In addition to some basic information about the organization and some upcoming events, the most important items on the board were poems written by Free Minds Members, with some attached pens for passers-by to give feedback. Although some writers are currently still incarcerated, others have since been released. In fact, one of the featured writers, Gary, was present. After co-founder Tara Libert briefly spoke about Free Minds inception and journey the past 15 years, Gary spoke to the group about his experience receiving feedback for his poems while in prison, saying, “I used to get comments, and it used to uplift my day.”
Phil reads a poem from the Free Minds literary journal.
As we all poured into a side room on the first floor of the building, the Department of Education staff helped themselves to some red velvet brownies and lemonade, and politely took their seats. Book Club and Reentry Manager Keela Hailes then spoke to the group of about 30 professionals in the education field about the transformative power of reading and writing for members of Free Minds. After a few minutes, she introduced another Free Minds member, Phil, to talk about the literary journal, They Call Me 299-359: Writings by the Incarcerated Youth of Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop. Phil explained how the 2011 journal contained poems ranging from topics like growing up on the streets to love and dreams for the future. As Phil began reading aloud from one of his fellow Free Minds Member’s poems, everyone in the room had their eyes glued to this well-spoken young man:
“It’s a daily struggle to believe/ to believe I could be more than a thug/ to believe that a mother still wants to give me a kiss with her love.”
The room responded to the poem with well-placed snaps, and Tara stepped up again to invite the staff members to begin giving feedback on the poems in front of them. As experienced Free Minds Poet Ambassador Charlie explained, “for some people this is their first time ever writing so when they get stuff back, that encourages them to write more.” The volunteers eagerly began reading a variety of poems, and thoughtfully wrote notes in colored ink. Some comments were about shared experiences and feelings, while others praised the use of literary techniques. Above all, my favorite comments were those that simply thanked the author of the poem for being honest or vulnerable, and for sharing such powerful words.
Towards the end of the event, Jackye Zimmerman, Director of Editorial Policy, Publications, and the Student Art Exhibit Program within the Office of Communications and Outreach, stood up with an announcement. Together with the rest of the staff in attendance, she presented Gary with an official signed U.S. Department of Education seal in honor of his acceptance into college. The applause for Gary, Phil, and Charlie was almost as big as the smiles on the accompanying faces in the room.
As the staff members gradually filtered out of the room in ones and twos, Phil, Charlie, and Gary proceeded to the main lobby, where they joined Jackye in front of the large-scale US Department of Education seal in the pristine building.
Left to right: Phil, Jackye, Gary, and Charlie.
Afterwards, one employee remarked how “utterly important it is for our work to have real live students here who tell us how their experiences, including education and what they need in that regard, affect them.” She went on, saying, “It gave me great insights about what we should be doing here.”
Of course, in most cases, Free Minds writers and their commentators may never meet. But Free Minds has nevertheless found a way to connect strangers through the written word, and to subsequently express a love and meaning that can transcend physical boundaries.