Damn
September 18, 2015
I’ll be sitting in death row
until the day that I die,
because they don’t give a damn
about us
So when you see me cry,
no need
to ask why
They don’t give a damn
about us
Only they know
the reasons why
our young children
are afraid to try
Never given
the instructions to fly
They don’t give a damn
about us
Older and elderly
the world on my shoulders
Lawyers disgust me
begging me to trust them
they’re the cause
of this disease
Getting paid
from this sickness
Open your eyes
and see
They don’t give a damn
about us
We are
just another paycheck
until
they put us to rest
Oh look
at the bright side
the mom, Chevy
and apple pie side
The turn the other cheek
and docile side
Okay then
welcome to
the real side
the rise up out of oppression
with pride side
The I will never give up
and keep fighting side
DAMN!
Uncomfortable Truth
July 20, 2015
When the subject of systemic racism is mentioned, some of my well intentioned Caucasian friends would rather we not have that conversation. Analysis of this established societal pattern apparently gives way to pause, creating feelings of discomfort. Unfortunately, when the truth brings feelings of discomfort, I say “be uncomfortable.” Systemic racism saturates our lives daily.
The Black community continues to repair itself from the cultural, psychological and economic effects of slavery and Jim Crow. Today we have overseer brutality, and mass incarceration, embodied in systemic racism. Change your ways when bitter truth makes you feel uncomfortable. Don’t ask truth to tell you a sweeter story. Every system within our society has been infected with racism. With this racism, have come crimes against humanity. These crimes must never be forgotten. The wounds are still open to infection. They have not been allowed to fully heal. When the day arrives and BLACKLIVESMATTER, all lives will truly matter. Selective amnesia is not the cure.
This country was founded, with overseers exterminating innocent Black and Brown lives; all with impunity. They were far too quiet and comfortable, when unarmed Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King Jr. and Emmett Till were assassinated by systemic racism. Quieter still, the powers that be, sat motionless, when systemic racism recently stole the lives of Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Walter Scott and Andy Lopez. Some have the audacity to suggest that assassinations, such as those of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Walter Scott and Andy Lopez are largely exaggerated. In the United States of America, a human life is exterminated by overseers, every 8 hours, yet silence is the action that is taken.
First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Counciler or the Klu Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order”, than to justice; who constantly says, “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.
– – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Letter from Birmingham Jail
April 16, 1963
Black and Brown citizens are disproportionately fed into the ‘Prison Industrial Complex, as the populace remains mute. To close our eyes to systemic racism, as some do, would be lacking in empathy and in wisdom. Discourse leads to solutions. Silence leads to perpetuation. This malignant cancer, complicit with an abrupt silence, is decimating humanity! There cannot be a cure, without acknowledgment of the truth. In order to correct this White Supremacist mindset, which has attained a position of comfort, we must analyze this historic problem. At what point does global systemic genocide take precedence over the oppressors’ need for comfort?
Those who fail to resist the clouded glare of White privilege have erroneously identified with our oppressors. Some have even become apologist for police terrorism. Their uncomfortable feeling is referred to as cognitive dissonance. This means that they are conscious of the atrocities of systemic racism, but choose to ignore them. Regrettably, they imagine themselves to be color-blind. They do not understand, nor do they suffer from the systemic racism that destroys lives daily. On the contrary, they unknowingly benefit from it, in large proportion. Aware of this oppression, they ask that we stop speaking ill of our oppressors. They are not necessarily the enemy. We consider many to be friends. Therefore, it is imperative that we enlighten, instruct, and hopefully reach their hearts and minds. Directing their paths into the higher self of human evolution is imperative, if we are to see honest unity.
As we ‘Know Thyself’, we must understand our common enemy. White Supremacy is much more than a single person. It is a system that has been ingrained into every single aspect of society. It is the evil psyche and the destructive root from which ‘Manifest Destiny,’ colonialism, and systemic racism has evolved. Misguided Black and Brown people have refused to stand up to this permeating force that dominates society. Traveling the cowardly course of least resistance, they are susceptible to self-hate and to the divide and conquer tactics, employed by our oppressors. This combination of variables has the potential to lead to a fratricide, capable of weakening any chance of forward momentum. We must acknowledge these challenges, as we move forward.
Systemic racism is a global issue that must be conquered. As oppressed people of the earth, we must connect the dots, in order to bind and strengthen our forward journey. We make up the majority of the population, worldwide. In this 21st century, there is a desperate need for major, revolutionary change. The battle is ongoing, and may take many generations to fulfill, but we must begin with steps; steps that will lead to humanity.
Revolution: a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favor of a new system. Revolution: a great, far-reaching change. While the chosen method remains undetermined, a definite choice must be made. Without action, there can be no change. We are positioned, standing in the ‘belly of the beast’, and speaking truth to imperialism. These words are written with love for the people, and love for the struggle. Our oppressors’ will have no peace, until our people are free. In 2015, we must think global, while taking revolutionary steps. One Love.
/ / / / / / /
Donald Ray Young is an innocent man, wrongfully convicted and sentenced to San Quentin’s death row, in 2006. Mr. Young is a certified paralegal, with an Associates of Arts degree in Sociology. He is pursuing additional education, including a law degree, which will assist him in seeking exoneration. His memoir will be published this year.
———————————————
DONALD RAY YOUNG
E – 78474 (5 – EB – 106)
CSP San Quentin
San Quentin, CA 94974
Wolfe In Sheep’s Clothing: Part 1
May 15, 2015
By Donald Ray Young
Allow me to introduce you to the Tulare County District Attorney’s star witness against me–at trial– the male who played a central role in my housing arrangement on California’s death row at San Quentin State Prison. A 320-pound, 6’1″ Caucasian male, with thin, balding, dirty-blond hair and blue eyes, Anthony Lee Wolfe is just one of his names. False testimony in a capital case comes easily to this well-known pedophile and psychopath.
Let’s consider the character and behavior of the source: Lewd and lascivious acts on a child, or felony child molestation pursuant to California Penal Code section 388(a), would be an appropriate place to start. The trial judge, Ronn M. Couillard, stated that it would be prejudicial for the jury to know that the prosecution’s star witness, Anthony Lee Wolfe, repeatedly raped and molested Brandy Wright, his seven-year old sister. I knew that it would…
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FREEDOM
May 15, 2015
Soaring through the light blue and white sky. I don’t know what bird of prey this is, maybe a hawk? She looks like an oversized crow with the majestic flight of the eagle. This rapture is strong and confident as she flies over San Quentin State Prison. If I could fly I’d pass right over the prison too– without a pause. This bird has captured the wind and made a vehicle of it. Where is this bird going? Where did she come from? How far has she traveled today? The wing span must be more than four feet. This view would make a wonderful picture or reference photo for a painting. I would love to paint this bird in its glorious glide. This is freedom. This bird knows true freedom, something that has eluded me for the past 17 years and then four years before that. If I could change…
View original post 172 more words
Declaration of Independence
May 15, 2015
Maybe the Natives and African Americans should have drafted a similar “Declaration of Independence” to protect themselves from the Colonists? The original thirteen colonies oppressed Natives and subjugated Africans while writing, “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation” from King George III. Let us not forget the Natives, Africans and other people of color were not considered fully human by the creators of “The Declaration of Independence.”
Women along with people of color were not included in, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Living up to this statement has proven to be an arduous task; 238 years later, however, we still are not there yet. All white men are created equal is what Jefferson was clarifying. African Americans were three-fifths human in Jefferson’s perspective. Eloquent words from a slave owner…
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Declaration of Independence
June 16, 2014
Maybe the Natives and African Americans should have drafted a similar “Declaration of Independence” to protect themselves from the Colonists? The original thirteen colonies oppressed Natives and subjugated Africans while writing, “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation” from King George III. Let us not forget the Natives, Africans and other people of color were not considered fully human by the creators of “The Declaration of Independence.”
Women along with people of color were not included in, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Living up to this statement has proven to be an arduous task; 238 years later, however, we still are not there yet. All white men are created equal is what Jefferson was clarifying. African Americans were three-fifths human in Jefferson’s perspective. Eloquent words from a slave owner who impregnated much of his female slave property.
Civil wars are erupting around the globe as I dissect “The Declaration of Independence.” America will not have a civil war because the government fully controls the people. So much for, “a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object” and “it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such a government.” Colonists truly believed they suffered absolute tyranny. After proffering “The Declaration of Independence,” Jefferson went home to rape his African property.
This magnificent document should have applied to all peoples. Yes, I criticize the framers of this manuscript for their Eurocentrism and ultra-xenophobia. One day “The Declaration of Independence” will stand up to the “Supreme Judge of the world.” The journey is long… step by step, day by day– we will get there.
I look forward to your contact and communications.
Facebook: Donald Ray Young
Twitter @DonaldRayYoung
Mail:
Donald Ray Young
P.O. Box E-78474
CSP San Quentin
San Quentin, CA 94974
FREEDOM
April 8, 2014
Soaring through the light blue and white sky. I don’t know what bird of prey this is, maybe a hawk? She looks like an oversized crow with the majestic flight of the eagle. This rapture is strong and confident as she flies over San Quentin State Prison. If I could fly I’d pass right over the prison too– without a pause. This bird has captured the wind and made a vehicle of it. Where is this bird going? Where did she come from? How far has she traveled today? The wing span must be more than four feet. This view would make a wonderful picture or reference photo for a painting. I would love to paint this bird in its glorious glide. This is freedom. This bird knows true freedom, something that has eluded me for the past 17 years and then four years before that. If I could change places with this bird. She’s gone and now all that’s left is the memory of this creature. A few feathers were missing from her right wing which only gave her more character. She seemed so close to me but it’s difficult to measure the exact distance as she slid by me patrolling the sky. Most of society will never get this bird’s view of San Quentin State Prison. I think about this bird more so because I am caged. Do the free one’s think about the caged ones more so because they are free? I don’t think so. When I flew as the bird I rarely thought of the caged. But the memory of this bird gives me hope as I re-play her soaring over me. Maybe one day I will be free as well, or is this my only glimpse of freedom…
I look forward to your contact and communication.
Facebook: Donald Ray Young
Twitter: @DonaldRayYoung
Mail:
Donald Ray Young
P.O. Box E-78474
CSP San Quentin
San Quentin, CA 94974
