Podcasts about Prison Radio

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Jan 8, 2024 Dr. Joy James joins Breht and PM for the third installment of Rev Left's ongoing Du Bois series, but this conversation goes well beyond the life and work of Du Bois to cover James' newest book, her long history of organizing, the history of black liberation struggles in the US, and much more. Together, they discuss George Jackson, James' concept of the Captive Maternal, Erica Garner, "New Bones Abolition", Marxism, black history, Ida B. Wells, and much more. Overall its a wide-ranging conversation with an incredibly wise and experienced revolutionary intellectual.  Dr. James is Ebenezer Fitch Professor of Humanities at Williams College. Her book is New Bones Abolition: Captive Maternal Agency and the (After)life of Erica Garner.  Proceeds from New Bones Abolition: Captive Maternal Agency and the (After)Life of Erica Garner go to Prison Radio. Follow PM on IG ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio HERE Outro Beat Prod. by flip da hood

“Beneath the Mountain: An Anti-Prison Reader” is a book with texts by enslaved, jailed, and imprisoned Americans, edited by renowned political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal and activist-scholar Jennifer Black. On April 26, Jennifer Black will be in the Capital Region for a book talk, and she spoke with Sina Basila Hickey about the reader, the upcoming book talk, and the work of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Learn more about Mumia's work at Prison Radio

Excerpt from 10-28-24 - In this excerpt, former political prisoner Eric King disccusses the torture tactics that prison authorities use to "mentally break" prisoners so that they are easier to manage. He discusses mental health inside and outside the prisons, prisoner suicides, and personal experiences. Our conversation was guided by this report from political prisoner Rashid Johnson on Prison Radio: https://www.prisonradio.org/commentary/self-immolation-in-virginia-prisons/ Eric also recommended the HBO documentary "Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison"

9/11/24: 9/11 & the debate. Jen Meeropol: U.S. govt reveals it executed her grandmother Ethel Rosenberg knowing she was innocent. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan & Jennifer Black w/ Abolitionist Law Ctr E.D. Saleem Holbrook: "Beneath the Mountain." Brian Adams w/ Historic Nhmptn's Laurie Sanders: 500 million years ago. Nhmptn Survival Ctr's Hedi Nortonsmith & Alexander Leger-Small: food for all.

9/11/24: 9/11 & the debate. Jen Meeropol: U.S. govt reveals it executed her grandmother Ethel Rosenberg knowing she was innocent. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan & Jennifer Black w/ Abolitionist Law Ctr E.D. Saleem Holbrook: "Beneath the Mountain." Brian Adams w/ Historic Nhmptn's Laurie Sanders: 500 million years ago. Nhmptn Survival Ctr's Hedi Nortonsmith & Alexander Leger-Small: food for all.

9/11/24: 9/11 & the debate. Jen Meeropol: U.S. govt reveals it executed her grandmother Ethel Rosenberg knowing she was innocent. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan & Jennifer Black w/ Abolitionist Law Ctr E.D. Saleem Holbrook: "Beneath the Mountain." Brian Adams w/ Historic Nhmptn's Laurie Sanders: 500 million years ago. Nhmptn Survival Ctr's Hedi Nortonsmith & Alexander Leger-Small: food for all.

9/11/24: 9/11 & the debate. Jen Meeropol: U.S. govt reveals it executed her grandmother Ethel Rosenberg knowing she was innocent. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan & Jennifer Black w/ Abolitionist Law Ctr E.D. Saleem Holbrook: "Beneath the Mountain." Brian Adams w/ Historic Nhmptn's Laurie Sanders: 500 million years ago. Nhmptn Survival Ctr's Hedi Nortonsmith & Alexander Leger-Small: food for all.

Mumia Abu-Jamal has spent the last forty-two of his seventy years on Earth behind the bars of a Pennsylvania state prison, twenty-nine and a half of those on Death Row based on a dubious and extremely flawed and biased conviction for murder. Today, we explore his story and what it tells us about what Ralph calls our “criminal injustice system.” We speak to Noelle Hanranah, the founder and legal director of Prison Radio for which Mumia has done thousands of commentaries, and Professor Joy James, political philosopher, academic and author, who has studied America's carceral state. Plus, we get the rare opportunity to speak to Mumia himself, who answers our questions from prison.Joy James is Ebenezer Fitch Professor of Humanities at Williams College. Professor James has published numerous articles on: political theory, police, prison and slavery abolition; radicalizing feminisms; diasporic anti-black racism; and US politics. She is the author and editor of several books including The New Abolitionists: (Neo)Slave Narratives and Contemporary Prison Writings, Imprisoned Intellectuals, Resisting State Violence, and Warfare in the American Homeland.[Mumia's] a treasure. And I don't want to make him an isolate. I think there are a number of people who have been incarcerated for decades who study and struggle—that's a phrase people use in terms of books reaching the incarcerated, but also the writings of the incarcerated coming out of prisons. They enable us to be able to learn and study with them. If not physically in the same space, definitely with the same ethics and the same commitments.Joy JamesThe way that I see what we're struggling against—which I believe echoes what Mumia has been writing about and talking about—is very complex, overlapping systems of containment and control in which poor- and working-class people are going to be the most negatively affected.Joy JamesNoelle Hanrahan is the founder and legal director of Prison Radio, a multimedia production studio that brings the voices of incarcerated people into the public debate. Since 1992, she has produced over 3,500 multimedia recordings from over 100 prison radio correspondents, including the critically acclaimed work of Mumia Abu-Jamal.[Mumia Abu-Jamal is] facing a system in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, which literally does not privilege the U.S. Constitution. It's more interested in finality…So they privilege procedure over merit.Noelle HanrahanMumia Abu Jamal is an award-winning broadcast journalist, essayist, and author of 12 books. Most recently, he's completed the historic trilogy Murder Incorporated (Perfecting Tyranny, Dreaming of Empire, and America's Favorite Pastime.) In the late 1970s, Abu-Jamal worked as a reporter for radio stations throughout the Delaware Valley. In 1981, Abu-Jamal was elected president of the Association of Black Journalists' Philadelphia chapter. Since 1982, Abu-Jamal has lived in state prison (28 of those years were spent in solitary confinement on death row.) Currently, he's serving life without parole at SCI Mahanoy in Frackville, PA. Abu-Jamal's 1982 trial and its resultant first-degree murder conviction have been criticized as unconstitutionally corrupt by legal and activist groups for decades, including by Amnesty International and Nobel Laureates Nelson Mandela, Toni Morrison, and Desmond Tutu.I love it when I hear or read about so-called conservatives talking about “two tiers of justice.” Justice if anything is at least three tiers— it's one tier for white people, another tier for black folks, and a third tier for the very rich. Now guess who gets sweetest deals? I mean look, it doesn't take a rocket scientist, right? If you're rich in this country, you can get every break that you can afford. You can get the best justice, the best lawyers, and they will fight wars.Mumia Abu-JamalWhen prisoners use the phone or go to the commissary—every item you buy, every call you make, it's taxed. So what about taxation without representation, in this so-called democracy, where every voice should be heard, and every person should be allowed the opportunity to vote?Mumia Abu-JamalIn prison, the most important thing, the one thing that stops guys from coming back is education. The most important thing is education. I would even say what people need is a deep colonial education, especially in prison.Mumia Abu-JamalI never succumbed to calling our system a criminal justice system—it's a criminal injustice system, because it reflects raceand class bias to an extraordinary degree. The studies have been overwhelming on this. You don't see many corporate criminals in jail these days. You don't see many prosecutions. You don't see many investigations of the corporate crime wave that takes a far greater toll in lives, injuries, and property than street crime does. But then, the system reflects the power structure.Ralph Nader Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Noelle Hanrahan was 57 when she attended law school. As a founding member of Prison Radio dot org, Noelle realized that it wasn't enough to just be a journalist and broadcast the voices of those incarcerated individuals who were brave enough to speak out about prison treatment and conditions, she needed to find a way to get their release. Prison Radio stories serve as catalysts for policy changes, public awareness campaigns and community activism aimed at addressing systemic issues within the justice system. Across the U.S. there are approximately 5.5 million people under a form of correctional control.

2/12/24: Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: school receivership & more. Amilcar Shabazz w/ Black Business Assoc Amherst Chair Pat Ononibaku & White Lion Brewing's Ray Berry. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan on Mumia Abu-Jamal. Megan Zinn with romance writer Susan Elizabeth Phillips: "Simply the Best".

2/12/24: Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: school receivership & more. Amilcar Shabazz w/ Black Business Assoc Amherst Chair Pat Ononibaku & White Lion Brewing's Ray Berry. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan on Mumia Abu-Jamal. Megan Zinn with romance writer Susan Elizabeth Phillips: "Simply the Best".

2/12/24: Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: school receivership & more. Amilcar Shabazz w/ Black Business Assoc Amherst Chair Pat Ononibaku & White Lion Brewing's Ray Berry. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan on Mumia Abu-Jamal. Megan Zinn with romance writer Susan Elizabeth Phillips: "Simply the Best".

2/12/24: Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: school receivership & more. Amilcar Shabazz w/ Black Business Assoc Amherst Chair Pat Ononibaku & White Lion Brewing's Ray Berry. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan on Mumia Abu-Jamal. Megan Zinn with romance writer Susan Elizabeth Phillips: "Simply the Best".

Noelle Hanrahan: My name is Noelle Hanrahan. I’m a lawyer, investigator, and I work with Prison Radio, and I’m here with Pam Africa for the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu Jamal. Pam,…

Mumia Abu-Jamal's Statement from the 29th Rosa Luxemburg Conference. Mumia discussed the Palestinian resistance, the anti-war movement, and much more. All credit to Junge Welte and Prison Radio. https://www.jungewelt.de/rlk/de/article/467069.im-geiste-rosas.html https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/467693.rlk24-gru%C3%9Fbotschaft-von-mumia-abu-jamal.html https://www.prisonradio.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/unequalexchange/support

Dr. Joy James joins Breht and PM for the third installment of Rev Left's ongoing Du Bois series, but this conversation goes well beyond the life and work of Du Bois to cover James' newest book, her long history of organizing, the history of black liberation struggles in the US, and much more. Together, they discuss George Jackson, James' concept of the Captive Maternal, Erica Garner, "New Bones Abolition", Marxism, black history, Ida B. Wells, and much more. Overall its a wide-ranging conversation with an incredibly wise and experienced revolutionary intellectual.  Dr. James is Ebenezer Fitch Professor of Humanities at Williams College. Her book is New Bones Abolition: Captive Maternal Agency and the (After)life of Erica Garner.  Proceeds from New Bones Abolition: Captive Maternal Agency and the (After)Life of Erica Garner go to Prison Radio. Follow PM on IG Check out Dr. Joy James on Millennials are Killing Capitalism HERE & HERE Get 15% off any book from Leftwingbooks.net  Outro Music: "Sorrow Tears and Blood" by Fela Kuti ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Support Rev Left Radio 

Don't have time to listen to the entire Dave & Chuck the Freak podcast? Check out some of the tastiest bits of the day, including Dave's Bayou voice, which emoji a kid wants banned, the most ridiculous thing you've been arrested for and more!

Bombardata dall'esercito israeliano, Gaza è stata completamente sconnessa dal resto del mondo. E allora la Bbc ha lanciato un servizio radiofonico d'emergenza in onde medie per la popolazione di Gaza. Non è la prima volta che la radio diventa l'unico strumento di connessione con il resto del mondo durante una guerra o altre circostanze drammatiche. È successo durante la seconda guerra mondiale, nei Balcani o in un regime come quello dei talebani in Afghanistan.   -- Ospite della puntata Andrea Borgnino --  I contributi audio di questa puntata sono tratti da un video pubblicato sul canale YouTube di War Precautions il 18 aprile 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcWpGwn8IDY, da un video pubblicato sul canale YouTube di Guardian News il 7 ottobre 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFTK9V_mEjI. Le fonti degli articoli citati nella puntata sono le seguenti: BBC World Service announces Emergency Radio Service for Gaza, BBC, 1 novembre 2023, https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2023/bbc-world-service-announces-emergency-radio-service-for-gaza; The BBC's detailed plans for nuclear war, BBC, 23 luglio 2016, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36865345; Interferenze - Radio3 Mondo, https://www.raiplaysound.it/programmi/radio3mondo/episodi/interferenze; Radio Brod. L'ultima Jugoslavia trasmessa via etere, Rai Radio 3, https://www.raiplaysound.it/playlist/radiobrodlultimajugoslaviatrasmessaviaetere; Prison Radio, https://www.prisonradio.org/; La résilience face à l'adversité : Hamida Aman, fondatrice de la radio Begum, qui permet aux femmes afghanes de s'exprimer, Unesco, 21 giugno 2023, https://www.unesco.org/fr/articles/la-resilience-face-ladversite-hamida-aman-fondatrice-de-la-radio-begum-qui-permet-aux-femmes; Taliban close women-run Afghan station for playing music, The Associated Press, 1 aprile 2023, https://apnews.com/article/taliban-women-radio-station-dc2ab03642ccb0cfddb67f031e48a032; World Radio Day: UN in Afghanistan vows to support national media, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), 13 febbraio 2023, https://unama.unmissions.org/world-radio-day-un-afghanistan-vows-support-national-media; Radio Begum, http://www.begum.fm/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Clearing the FOG speaks with two advocates for the freedom of political prisoners Mumia Abu-Jamal and Leonard Peltier. Mumia Abu-Jamal is waiting to hear if Judge Lucretia Clemons will grant a new hearing on his case that includes new evidence of corruption in the legal process that led to his false conviction. On February 16, port workers will strike on the West Coast in support of an international day of action in for Mumia. Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio talks about his case and the carceral state. Leonard Peltier has now served almost 50 years in prison on a murder charge involving FBI agents. Coleen Rowley, a whistleblower formerly with the FBI, recently wrote to President Biden asking for clemency for Peltier. Rowley discusses the COINTEL Program, which is very much alive, and the culture inside the FBI. Both call on the public to take action to free Abu-Jamal and Peltier. For more information, visit PopularResistance.org.

Mumia Abu Jamal is a political prisoner and award winning journalist. He filed this commentary for Prison Radio about the police killing of Tyre Nichols.

What do prisons in the UK, Colorado, Australia and India have in common? Like San Quentin and Solano State prisons where we make Uncuffed - they all have radio programs. Workshops, and podcasts and radio shows where incarcerated producers tell stories in their own language. Last year some of the team at Uncuffed traveled to Norway for the first annual prison radio conference. And in this special episode, we're bringing you excerpts from some of the organizations we met there.

Last summer, the Uncuffed team was invited to the world's first International Prison Radio Conference in Oslo, Norway. Formerly incarcerated producers and staff hopped on a plane (some for the first time in their lives), and joined other prison radio makers from countries like Australia, India, and the UK. On this special episode of Uncuffed, we're sharing a few of our favorite pieces from around the globe. Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and support the program at www.weareuncuffed.org. Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Hear more from the shows featured in this episode: The Secret Life of Prisons, from the UK's Prison Radio Association: www.prison.radio Jailbreak, from the Community Restorative Centre in Australia: www.crcnsw.org.au/services/jailbreak-radio Ear Hustle, from PRX's Radiotopia in the US: www.earhustlesq.com Inside Wire, from Colorado Prison Radio: www.coloradoprisonradio.com Tinka Tinka Foundation in India: www.tinkatinka.org/jail-music-2 Learn about all the programs that make up Prison Radio International: www.prison.radio/prison-radio-international

This week Trevor was joined by “Bossman” who runs the YouTube channel “Lude Presents” and hosts the show “Rabbit Holes.” We discussed midlife crises, prison radio, a powerlifting granny, and more… Contains Paid Promotion #remodelyourlife #makemenmanlyagain Segment TimesIntro (00:20) Bossman (03:05) - Check out “Lude Presents” - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq4X7IIHDY9V8auCjYBJF2A/ [apologies on the occasional bad connection]Prison Radio (19:13) “You Better Watch Out” (25:38) Powerlifting Granny (42:02) This Week in His Story (55:53) - Get the historically best investment in terms of always being valuable with GOLD!!! Vaulted is an alternative savings account and app for investing in physical, deliverable gold. All assets are stored at the Royal Canadian Mint. http://mantoolsmedia.com/vaulted Listen to Trevor's appearance on The Sophisticated Delinquent Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vVABY1FflTw70WApVVfkh?si=744870ea60ac4fc0 Thanks to our Sponsors - https://mantoolsmedia.com/sponsors/ Get More Man Tools:Our Website - https://mantoolsmedia.com/ Our Socials - https://liinks.co/mantoolsmedia Merch - https://man-tools-merch.creator-spring.com/ Licensed Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com © Man Tools Media LLC

The Allan B. Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas, used to be known as the Terror Dome for its high rates of inmate violence, murder and suicide. Polunsky houses all the men condemned to death in Texas (currently 185) and nearly 3,000 maximum security prisoners. But since the pandemic, a prison radio station almost entirely run by the men themselves has helped to create community--even for those on death row, who spend 23 hours a day locked alone in their cells. The Tank beams all kinds of programmes across the prison complex: conversations both gruff and tender; music from R&B to metal; the soundtracks of old movies; inspirational messages from all faiths and none. The station's steady signal has saved some men from suicide and many from loneliness; it lets family members and inmates dedicate songs to each other and make special shows for those on their way to execution. Maria Margaronis tunes in to The Tank and meets some of the men who say it's changed their lives—even when those lives have just weeks left to run. Produced by David Goren. Photo credit (Michael Starghill)

The Allan B. Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas, used to be known as the Terror Dome for its high rates of inmate violence, murder and suicide. Polunsky houses all the men condemned to death in Texas (currently 185) and nearly 3,000 maximum security prisoners. But since the pandemic, a prison radio station almost entirely run by the men themselves has helped to create community--even for those on death row, who spend 23 hours a day locked alone in their cells. The Tank beams all kinds of programmes across the prison complex: conversations both gruff and tender; music from R&B to metal; the soundtracks of old movies; inspirational messages from all faiths and none. The station's steady signal has saved some men from suicide and many from loneliness; it lets family members and inmates dedicate songs to each other and make special shows for those on their way to execution. Maria Margaronis tunes in to The Tank and meets some of the men who say it's changed their lives—even when those lives have just weeks left to run. Produced by David Goren. Photo credit (Michael Starghill)

On this episode of Red Carpet, we have an international collective promoting the diversity of Africa's dances, inmates in a Colorado prison find inspiration in radio broadcasts, and a Sudanese woman hopes to be her country's first wrestler to make it to the Olympics.

Tanya Denning-Orman with what's on NITV during NAIDOC week and three guests talk about the power of storytelling through different models of prison radio.

The first ever international prison radio conference has just been held in Norway, bringing together representatives of prison radio shows from 19 countries, including Australia, where Indigenous people continue to be grossly over-represented in prison populations.

"Inside these prison walls, love is really the closest thing that you have to freedom." - Comrade Pitt Panther, Prison Radio Correspondent. This episode focuses on the work of Prison Radio and the #LoveNotPhear campaign to free journalist, author and activist Mumia Abu-Jamal. We hear from organizers and family members of incarcerated people, and incarcerated folks themselves, mobilizing movements for freedom. Founder and Legal Director Noelle Hanrahan shares the origins of Prison Radio and gives an update on Mumia's case; Jamal Hart Jr. speaks on his experience growing up seeing his grandfather, Mumia in prison, and Mike Africa Jr. articulates the philosophy and motivation behind the #LoveNotPhear campaign. #MumiaAbuJamal #PrisonRadio #LoveNotPhear #MikeAfricaJr #JamalHartJr #NoelleHanrahan #PittPanther #prisonabolition #PICAbolition #abolition #massincarceration #OntheEveofAbolition #AgitArte #whenwefightwewinpodcast #whenwefightwewin #podcast

Adam Carpinelli interviewed me, Mic Crenshaw and Opium Sabbah about our new music video ("Free Em All") and album (Take the Power Back) yesterday for the Prison Pipeline show in KBOO. 

Today we talked to a couple people involved with the first prison radio station in the country completely run by the inmates!

Next week we are scheduled to talk to a couple inmates who are part of the country's first statewide prison radio show in Colorado! Today we started brainstorming some ideas to help our radio brothers out!

Last month the latest edition of the Jailhouse Lawyer's Handbook was released by the Center for Constitutional Rights and the National Lawyer's Guild. Anyone in prison can write to either organization for a free copy, and family and friends can view and download copies at jailhouselaw.org. As part of the release, award-winning journalist and jailhouse lawyer Mumia Abu-Jamal recorded a segment on Prison Radio (prisonradio.org) regarding the critically important work of Jailhouse Lawyers. The Center for Constitutional Rights, where I work, also recorded a podcast featuring JLH co-editor and senior staff attorney Chinyere Ezie discussing the latest edition of the handbook. You can listen to that full podcast here: ccrjustice.org/activist-files Also in the past month, the legend Brian Jackson released his new album with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge on their label Jazz is Dead. It's an incredible piece of music and I recommend everyone purchase it! You can grab a copy here: thebrianjackson.bandcamp.com/album/bria…son-jid008 I decided it might be fun to throw together a quick mix of parts of Brian Jackson's new album beneath the important words of Mumia and my colleague Chinyere. It's a short mix, just around 15 minutes long, but hope everyone takes a moment to listen. Jailhouse Lawyer's are doing unbelievable legal and advocacy work from inside prison walls that is often unheard and unappreciated on the outside. Many thanks to all who appear on this mix!

Hi, I'm Izell Robinson, Minnesota inmate number 210006, an innocent man confined within the quadrilaterals of systemic injustice, fighting to be heard and to affect positive change. Yet to accomplish success, I need you to listeners to hear me and act, so I'm only asking if I can be heard and count on you to act. Therefore, in recognition of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, I believe it's important to acknowledge the negative impact confinement burdens on one's mind state. As an inmate, I've experienced sporadic battles with depression, emotional anxiety, and traumatic stresses that often went ignored or untreated, leaving me with elevated blood pressure and reoccurring feelings of hopelessness. In my experience and the Minnesota prison system, mental health services is difficult for an inmate to gain access to. Just because an inmate requests to see a mental health advocate doesn't mean they'll see them. And if by chance they do, it can be a week or two before one is seen. And if there's a history of suicidal ideation, that may be too late. I know I've had my mental health affected by being away from my children and attempting to parent from prison, the death of family members, the social injustice and heightened killings of black men by police, the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing guidelines, and most importantly, all the injustice I've faced that the hands of police, judges, and the criminal justice system that have criminalized me and confined me for a crime I did not commit. And it's not about min- minimizing accountability for something I've done. Therefore, I always tell people to try existing in confinement when you know you're innocent. How do you think you would feel? See my reality is one of pain, injustice, and anguish as I do my best to maintain my composure and intelligently advocate for my freedom and systemic change from within with all odds seemingly against me. I wanted to share a short essay with my own personal experience with you. This is from part of my memoir called The Tupac Factor: How a Rap Artist Significantly Impacted My Life. Imagine me as this once pained and sad child feeling all alone and on my own watching life just to see horrors of death, poverty, and violence on the cusp of depression and defeat until I hear lyrics that deal with my pain: A place to spend my quiet nights, time to unwindSo much pressure in this life of mine, I cry at timesI once contemplated suicide, and woulda triedBut when I held that 9, all I could see was my mama's eyesNo one knows my struggle, they only see the troubleNot knowin' it's hard to carry on when no one loves youPicture me inside the misery of povertyNo man alive has ever witnessed struggles I survivedPrayin' hard for better days, promise to hold onMe and my dawgs ain't have a choice but to roll on This is "Thugz Mansion" lyrics excerpted from Tupac's song featuring Nas. Now these lyrics from Tupac would become tied to my conscience as a motivating force. "Thugz Mansion" is a mostly raw song of a son speaking to his mother from heaven after his death. The song deals with very powerful issues of depression, contemplated suicide, pain, loneliness, poverty, and death. However, this song has its moments of inspiration as it proves to speak to the greater message of triumph and better days. As a result, I realized that Tupac and I had a shared poverty and life of struggle in common. It is this commonality that existed within his potently raw lyrical content, which allowed his music to impact my once-killed spirit. I can identify with Tupac's frustrations and struggles of existing in poverty and in the world where I often feel hopeless. I've been that child crying and feeling unloved, just wanting to die because all the pains and tragedies in life. Ironically, my own story begins in the worst year of my life, 1996, because this year would encompass both the death of my grandma—Maddie Mae Robinson, the woman who raised me—and Tupac, the man who inspired me. In 1996, I was 14 years old, and for the first time, I was parentless, I was hopeless and felt all alone in the cold world. I wanted to die, and I contemplated suicide for the first time in my life. I wanted to join my deceased mother and grandmother, even if that meant my own death. However, every time I placed the knife blade to my wrist, I will constantly see my grandma's eyes and hear her sing: "The Lord won't put more on you than you can bear." I wasn't interested in hearing or thinking about God in this moment. I even blamed God for my grandma's death. Death was my comfort because I didn't see a way that I could go on living without my grandma, so I began to think of other ways to kill myself. Yet something spoke to my inner spirit, compelling me to turn on the radio. It just so happens that when I turned that radio on, I heard certain words from Tupac's song as if it were talking directly to me: A place where death doesn't reside, just thugs who collide'Cause I feel like my eyes saw too much sufferin'I done lost my mother and I cried tears of joyI know she smiles on her boy Excerpts from "Thugz Mansion," Tupac featuring Nas was being played. And they gave me a emotional introspective of survival. As I internalized the lyrics I was hearing, I didn't have a clue how it was how I would survive, but the songs helped me to understand I could endure. I knew that my grandma would want me to keep going on in life, doing my best to excel and be a good man in spite of her death. In fact, you could say that Tupac saved my life being that I didn't follow through with ending it. Sadly, later that same year of 1996, Tupac would be murdered. In spite of his death, his music lives on today, and several of his songs have inspired me to continue to push past my own issues of depression, pain, and contemplated suicide. His lyrics became the soundtrack, pushing me forward through the hard times of my life. Still, I related to Tupac beyond his music because I saw my own ambitions within his words, such as "Mama was my hero," "Hungry for a taste of justice," and "Only God can judge me." Tupac and I were similar in that we both desired that creative outlet to express our hardships and pain to the world in hopes of both closure and change. Tupac once described this creative desire as his battle cry to America. And it is that very battle cry that has resonated to impact me, such as in a song "Until The End of Time," which he rapped: Please, Lord, forgive me for my life of sinNow who's to say if I was right or wrong Meaning he did his best in life in spite of other people's beliefs. Further, I was influenced to begin writing and performing rap music of my own, because I saw it as having a voice that would go beyond the silence of tragedy. I was inspired. Later in my adult life, I began my music career as the moniker Gnik, the word king spelled backwards and a play on the meaning of my actual name Izell, which I was told from childhood meant "king." Much like Tupac. I wanted my lyrics to have substance and meaning that my listener can identify with and feel some positive effect or hopefulness. And the first rap I ever recorded, "I Am Who I Am." I paid homage to death in the first verse by referencing his name. I made this rap track available to the world by placing it on the web at www.reverbnation.com/gnik. I begin to get a lot of positive feedback, and I was booked for at least eight performances around the Twin Cities area in Minnesota. I have been truly blessed to make one of my dreams come true to fruition by being privileged with the opportunity to record music and perform in front of people so that I can impact someone else's life the way my life was impacted. Like Tupac, a typical lyric for me would touch on a socialeconomic issue like when I say, Capitalist use ours ghettos to gain wealth, stack riches, treating us like a commodityYet where's the passion they will apply to poverty? See too many lives scuffed up with mental scarsBut it's the poor and oppressed that justice starves Now who's hungry enough to stand up for us when they tell us our strength is in numbersWhy is it that we continue stand alone knowing we don't experience this injustice on our own?Truth is, we all faced with the same strugglesAin't no profit in this daily life with troubleCause our hoods is a reality filled with crime, on top of either dead or doing time These are lyrical excerpts from "True Street," a song for me, Gnik. I could never truly compare my rap music success to Tupac's, because he is extremely influential in both life and death. He's one of the top selling rap artists throughout the world, and his legendary fame has garnered him in many charts and fans' minds as the greatest rapper of all time. Additionally, outside of his music genius, Tupac was a great poet. And today, some colleges and universities have provided courses on Tupac's lyrics and poems. Furthermore, a teacher in elementary school asked me, "Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete, proving nature's law is wrong It learned to walk without having feet. Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams, it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else cared." These words were actually poem, "The Rose That Grew From Concrete" by Tupac. And that has stuck with me from my adolescent years through my adult life, because I have always seen myself as that rose fighting to survive and keep my dreams alive. My admiration for Tupac has grown out of his focus to achieve beyond the barriers of an impoverished childhood, being raised by a single mother, being scarred by the tragedies of violence and persistent patterns of injustice are to name a few. Unfortunately, before his demise in his adult life, Tupac also spent some time in prison for a crime that he had vehemently denied committing. This reminds me of my old plight with the criminal justice system and how I similarly have intensely denied committing the crimes I'm currently accused of committing. Now I don't have the attorney, connections, or fame that Tupac possessed, but I do possess his emotion that in jail you get perspective and it starts to feel like it's me against the world. Once again, thank you for listening. And I hope that I brought some meaning, you know, out of the words that I've expressed to you. Um, I pray that you took some value in this and you can utilize it to join others and I in the fight for police and criminal justice reform. I believe the courage of many to take a stand will make a difference, so you and I must be brave in our pursuit to be heard and demand the change we are long overdue. I can be emailed through the JPay app or website, just insert "Minnesota" for state and 210006 for ID number, or you can mail me at the number 21006, 7600 525th Street, Rush City, Minnesota 55069. All positively supportive contact is welcome and appreciated. Thank you for listening and thanks to Prison Radio for this much-needed platform of linking prisoners with their communities and the healthy way to foster needed dialogue and support. These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.

This is Bilal Abdul-Salam Bey, also known as Charley Hughes, inmate at Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Hutchinson, KS. This piece is just an update on, uh, a shooting that happened in Wichita, KS on Monday, uh, about a week ago around 1:30 p.m. Uh, a traffic stop was happening in Wichita, KS. And there were two, uh, two males in the car, along with a female. One male got out the car and ran and he was tased twice and ended up- ended up with gunshot wounds to his face. The po- uh, police said that he, uh, self-inflicted the wounds to himself. He later died in the hospital. His name was Cortrey Hubbard, and it happens to be my younger brother. Uh, if anybody can help with the investigation or anybody wanting to look into this matter to make it public, please do so by contacting my mother. Her name is Cassandra Downey. Her phone number is (316) 390-8977. Thank you for your time, effort and energy. And once again, it's Bilal Abdul-Salam Bey. These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.

Look away. It took a life sentence to show me how to love today, it took a life sentence to show me how to look away. Close your eyes if you don't like the color of my skin, close your eyes if you are not willing to look within. It used to bother me, what you used to say, I would [inaudible], it took a life sentence to show me how to forgive. It took a life sentence to show me how to live, so close your eyes, close your ears if you don't like my voice. Close your heart if you don't like my love. It took a life sentence to show me how to give, it took a life sentence to show me how to love, so look away if you don't like the color of my skin. Better yet, look within, where I'll love you anyways. These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.

"Turning Point," new poem for Meghan and Suzanna. I released the past, because forgiveness springs forward and hate falls back. I'll never forget what I'd done, but I cannot go back and peel back the sun. I reached a past and pushed on the gas, you know, keep moving forward, because the future will last. What's done is done. And I cannot go back and peel back the sun. I blazed a new trail and I'll never get derailed and even when hope has no wind in its sail. I am not my worst act, nor will I forget the past, for forgiveness springs forward, and hate falls back. These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.

I am Izell Robinson, Minnesota inmate number 320006, an innocent man confined within the quadrilaterals of systemic injustice, fighting to be heard and affect positive change. Yet, to accomplish success, I need you, the listeners, to hear me and act—so I'm only asking if I can be heard and count on you to act While you ponder that question, here's some creative expression to address the plight of social injustices. We lost four black lives to police and the weak, it’s hard to find inner peace When death speak, my head low shake from side to side, could be me and my sons next to die And our complexion aside shouldn't be why, yet police refuse to hear when black doves cry In the state where Prince’s “Purple Rain” turned to bruises and pains Minnesota Nice comes with a price, leaving black life driving so insane when they choke or shoot and your skin make them scared of you Who would ever knew complexion get you killed, have your body left killed, image of you lying still, body camera, cell phone paint the picture, injustice the mixture When black lives matter don’t in America, truth will stare at ya’ on my soap box hoping to clean conscious, death got us nauseous, simple traffic stop leading us to become more cautious. So I'm caught up in the rages of society because these police are shiesty, from botched investigations to murder just to criminalize the poor Systemic racism at the poor, where survival becomes a chore Don't unlock that door because truth is you don't live on my streets when there's no justice and no peace And no words can make our lives matter, where images of police brutality only calls us to shatter, broken to pieces and tears apart from the tragedy We weighed down by the gravity, and your prison reforms is all talk, that's why I prefer to [inaudible] the police outlined in chalk I hope you enjoyed that lyrical expression and that you can find meaning and feeling in my words that will ignite a spark of action and voice of reason within you. These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio.

Welcome to the radio magazine that brings you news, commentary and analysis from a Black Left perspective. I’m Margaret Kimberley, along with my co-host, Glen Ford. Coming up: Haiti, a country whose popularly elected president was overthrown by the United States in 2004, suffers under yet another leader imposed by the US, who wants to change the constitution to make himself even more powerful. And, the death of the dictator of the African nation of Chad has France and the United States worried about how they’ll keep control of the volatile Sahel region. But first – the corporate media would have you believe that President Joe Biden is the spitting political image of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But veteran activist Margaret Flowers, of Popular Resistance, rejects that comparison. Flowers says the Biden presidency is as corporate as they get. That was Margaret Flowers, of Popular Resistance, speaking from Baltimore. The Haitian people have been protesting almost non-stop ever since Jovenel Moise was named president after winning only a small fraction of the nation’s voters in an election fraught with irregularities, in 2016. Moise now proposes to change Haiti’s constitution, so that he can rule with immunity from prosecution for crimes. We spoke with Daoud Andre, a Brooklyn-based radio host and an organizer with the Committee to Mobilize Against Dictatorship in Haiti. Andre says Washington calls the shots in Haiti. That was Daoud Andre, of the Committee to Mobilize Against Dictatorship in Haiti, speaking from Brooklyn, New York. For the past 30 years, the oil-rich, but dirt-poor, nation of Chad, in Africa’s Sahel region, was run by Idris DAY-bee, a dictator backed by both France and the United States. But DAY-bee was reported killed in combat with rebels, last week, and his son is now in charge. Dr. Gerald Horne, a professor of history and African American Studies at the University of Houston, is adept at interpreting political events around the world. Horne was interviewed by Willmer Leon and Garland Nixon on Sputnik Radio. Black politics is a vibrant force in the United States, including behind bars. Bilal Abdul Salem Bey is incarcerated in Hutchinson, Kansas. He’s a member of the New Afrikan Black Panther Party, and filed this report for Prison Radio.

Welcome to the radio magazine that brings you news, commentary and analysis from a Black Left perspective. I'm Margaret Kimberley, along with my co-host, Glen Ford. Coming up: Haiti, a country whose popularly elected president was overthrown by the United States in 2004, suffers under yet another leader imposed by the US, who wants to change the constitution to make himself even more powerful. And, the death of the dictator of the African nation of Chad has France and the United States worried about how they'll keep control of the volatile Sahel region. But first – the corporate media would have you believe that President Joe Biden is the spitting political image of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But veteran activist Margaret Flowers, of Popular Resistance, rejects that comparison. Flowers says the Biden presidency is as corporate as they get. That was Margaret Flowers, of Popular Resistance, speaking from Baltimore. The Haitian people have been protesting almost non-stop ever since Jovenel Moise was named president after winning only a small fraction of the nation's voters in an election fraught with irregularities, in 2016. Moise now proposes to change Haiti's constitution, so that he can rule with immunity from prosecution for crimes. We spoke with Daoud Andre, a Brooklyn-based radio host and an organizer with the Committee to Mobilize Against Dictatorship in Haiti. Andre says Washington calls the shots in Haiti. That was Daoud Andre, of the Committee to Mobilize Against Dictatorship in Haiti, speaking from Brooklyn, New York. For the past 30 years, the oil-rich, but dirt-poor, nation of Chad, in Africa's Sahel region, was run by Idris DAY-bee, a dictator backed by both France and the United States. But DAY-bee was reported killed in combat with rebels, last week, and his son is now in charge. Dr. Gerald Horne, a professor of history and African American Studies at the University of Houston, is adept at interpreting political events around the world. Horne was interviewed by Willmer Leon and Garland Nixon on Sputnik Radio. Black politics is a vibrant force in the United States, including behind bars. Bilal Abdul Salem Bey is incarcerated in Hutchinson, Kansas. He's a member of the New Afrikan Black Panther Party, and filed this report for Prison Radio.

Plus his written oration reminded me of speeches I used to study at [inaudible] oratory competition. I knew that I had to place a keen focus back on becoming the old me. My- all my education, because it is what had led me to be successful beyond high school and beyond living in the hood in the first place. I didn't want to allow any of my grandma's sacrifices to be in vain. I definitely knew it's time for me to do something to give back to this man who somehow became lost and unaccountable for the dreams I had now deferred. So I started doing positive prison programming, and I've completed the RJ 101 Building Character, Changing Faces 1 & 2 that the prison offers where I learned about developing empathy and character traits that empower good decision-making. I've completed several alternatives to violence prevention workshops as a participant and co-facilitator where I learned skills to communicate in healthy ways to resolve conflicts. I have completed anger management where I learned to identify feelings that get me deregulated and what I can do to cope and manage those feelings before they escalate the negative action. I have participated in several Minnesota prison writing workshop classes, where I learned to be more expressive, heal, and get out what I wanted to say. I now had an opportunity, an outlet to be heard. In fact, I was achieving small feats and began to feel like that old me that was a scholar and man of potential which heightened my desire to want to take some college courses. I noticed some flyers around the prison offering inmates an opportunity to enroll in college courses—and I knew I needed to take advantage of that to resurrect the part of me that had become lost. Now, I started to feel a renewed sense within that I wanted to finish what I started: obtain a college degree. I knew that in spite of my situation, time was ticking away with me just sitting in the cell, doing nothing productive, and just dreaming the dream to resurrect my deferred dreams. I knew that I had to seek out a way to commit to achieving my educational goals. I refuse to let the system hold me back like it has done countless of others, because I want success over the many excuses of why cannot obtain it. That is why we must advocate for prisoners' rights to obtain a college degree while incarcerated. Statistics support that higher education options and participation for incarcerated prisoners reduce recidivism. Moreover, it gives a once hopelessly defeated prisoner like me—stained with a felony making job options minimal and difficult to acquire—a fighting chance. That chance is the result of learned skills and reformation to be and desire better things for one's life. Therefore it is important to lobby for grants and financial aid for prisoners to rehabilitate themselves partly through education and better life choices. I am proof that if the resources are available, the success is possible. The proof: being confined, I've already obtained an Associate of Arts degree through Inver Hills Community College. I'm currently in treatment here at the rest of the facility. I've just recently completed a year-long manufacturing production technology diploma certification program through Pine Technical Community College. And I diligently been working to get enrolled in the Bachelor Degree tablet courses offered by Ashlyn University. I know that these things can aid in me having a successful transition back into the community in a positive and productive way. As I look for stable job opportunities that I will be qualified for, staying focused on overcoming the excuses and obstacles that having a felony often burdens motivation. This is why I am seeking out every resource and opportunity to achieve my goal, because in my mind, it is now or never, and it is never too late to figure out the now. Thank you, and once again, if you want to offer any type of supportive feedback or comments, I can be reached, um, through JPay, through the email, and insert Minnesota for state, ID number 210006, or you can write Izell Robinson, Number 210006, at 7600-525th Street, Rush City, Minnesota 55609. Thanks. These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.

This is Izell Robinson, inmate number 210006 in Minnesota. Um, I wanted to do excerpts from a personal piece I wrote called "Now or Never: Education Versus Excuses." Langston Hughes wrote a populsr poem that ask us what becomes of a dream deferred. Sadly, I have become the answer to this question by squandering life opportunities through poor choices that led me to prison. In prison, I've learned a common sentiment that when a person enters prison, they find religion or deeper criminal thinking. I think: what about an inmate finding education? Why can't this be a true means to reform? If you asked me why pursue an education now, well, I'm tired. I'm tired of being known as the man with so much wasted potential. I'm tired of feeling like a failure. I'm tired of resenting myself for not becoming the person I know I can become. I'm tired of hearing the convicting chatter of, "Do you remember?" Honestly, I do remember. I was previously looked at as a person who was never supposed to make it through high school, let alone go to college. And I say this because I come from my area in Chicago known as one of the worst areas in the city. Yet I went to many private schools and in those private schools, I learned how to have thick skin when it came to dealing with people's racial attitudes. But beyond the surface, that's still bothered me. But as it turns out, racism will be the last of my worries because I would finally find myself in handcuffs being taken to a jail cell. In all veracity, I would have never experienced or thought that I would experience confinement in jail or prison. I definitely am ashamed and embarrassed to be in prison. I know I felt there were lies and injustice involved in the judicial process cementing my confinement. However, what I feel did not matter because I was off to prison and for me, that aroused an uncertain fear. When I first walked through the prison doors, I was angry at both the criminal justice system and myself. Second, I was furious as I thought about circumstances at a moment of my crime and action that I should have avoided. Third, I was enraged because my choices had led me to this moment where I would have to face my shame and learn to be accountable for the poor choices I made when using chemicals as an attempt to solve my problems and medicate my trauma. Fourth, I was exasperated because I did not feel like continuing to battle myself or hiding behind the mask that I relied to shield my family and others from the truth of my negative behaviors. Finally I was perplexed because I was now somewhere where I didn't want to be in life, and I didn't want to take fault for that. Therefore I was content on looking to blame the system and anyone else from my failures. I was a bit in denial. I know depression and frustration all too well that sometimes I just need to scream. Although that- I realized that, and that being irate and screaming won't change my condition or solve my problems. I had to look at the man staring in the mirror to find out who I am, realizing that I am intelligent and my life does matter as a black man. I wanted more for me than the stain of confinement. Consequently I began to educate myself through becoming involved in and really participating in positive programming options that the prison offered. And for me, that changed a lot because sitting in that jail cell, I was alone, alone with my thoughts and fears. I thought about my life and death. I thought about my past along with what I want for my future, my racing mind thinking until I felt that I can think no more. I had finally hit rock bottom and was afraid for myself. But I knew I must change something to get back to the old me who I was in high school. The jail staff offered me an opportunity to retrieve a book off the book cart. I noticed the Autobiography of Malcolm X. I read the Autobiography of Malcolm X throughout the night and found myself inspired. I felt the renewed in a sense. I was enthralled by Malcolm's courage to educate itself by studying the dictionary. These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.

This is Bilal Abdul-Salam Bey, also known as Charley Hughes, uh, inmate at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Hutchinson Correctional, Kansas. This piece is called "What We Want." Well, first part of the 10 point program for the NABBP. Number one: we want power to determine the destiny of New Afrikan communities. Two: we want full employment for all our- all our people. Three: we demand housing fit for the shelter of human beings. Four: we want New Afrikan men exempted from military service. Five: we demand decent education for New African people, an education that teaches the truth about this jaded, racist society and teach New Afrikan children their rightful place in society. Six: we want an end for the robbery of New Afrikan people in their own communities by white business interests. Seven: we demand the end to police brutality and the murder of New Afrikan people in America. Eight: we demand the release of all New Afrikan men and women held in city, county, state, and federal jail and prisons. Nine: we demand the trial of New Afrikan people before New Afrikan juries, trials by one's- by one's peers who comes from the same economic, social, religious, historical, and racial community. Ten: we want land, just as we want clothing, housing, education, justice, money, and peace. What we believe, we believe that New Afrikan people would not be free until we are able to determine our own destiny. We believe that the federal government is responsible and obligated to give every man employment or a guaranteed income. We believe that if the white American business [inaudible] would not get full employment, then the means of production should be taken from the businesses and placed in the community so that the people of the community can organize and employ all of its people and give a high standard of living. This concludes the first part of what we want and what we believe. Again, this is Bilal Abdul-Salam Bey. Those wishing to reach me about this topic may do so by writing Charley Hughes, #96576, P.O. BOX 1568, Hutchinson, KS 67504.Thank you for your time, effort, and energy. These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.

On this week’s episode we venture to prison and to a very unusual high school radio station. Members of the artist collective Provisional Island (Heidi Ratanavanich, Eileen Shumate, and Michael McCanne) speak with us about their prison-radio-themed exhibit, An Electric Kite, which is on view at the historic site/museum Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia through […] The post Podcast #147 – Prison Radio Exhibit and a High School Station in a Band Room appeared first on Radio Survivor.

Liberation Theology: A March to Freedom explores the conceptual framework of “liberation theology” — a branch of Theology developed by Catholics and Christians looking to examine the church's role in society, to address the socio-political and economic realities of the oppressed. We will examine why Liberation Theology, with its focus on political activism and resistance, is resonating with communities hungry for social justice during these trying times. Featuring: Pastor Michael McBride, Reverend Cheryl Denise Ward, Reverend John Helmiere, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and many others. Credits: Host: Anita Johnson Producers: Anita Johnson, Yuko Kodama, Marie Choi, Monica Lopez, R.J. Lozada Executive Director: Lisa Rudman Audience Engagement Director: Sabine Blaizin Development Associate: Vera Thykulsker Special Thanks to Prison Radio for assistance with the Mumia interview. For More Information: Pastor Michael McBride The Way Christian Center  Reverend John Helmiere Reverend Cheryl Denise Ward Mumia Abu-Jamal http://www.prisonradio.org/store/products/faith-our-fathers The post Liberation Theology: A March to Freedom appeared first on KPFA.

Tune in for an hour of news, information and commentary concerning political prisoners. Today will share the latest news concerning a previous report about the re-establishment of the overthrown Kingdom of Hawaii which was cleared by the Obama administration to hold a vote to determine if the Hawaiians would get their country back. That process has now been blocked by the US Supreme Court and why we say every non-assimilated Native Hawaiian is a political prisoner and prisoner of war. We will share some of the latest political prisoner events posted to our Facebook page Political Prisoner Radio. Two Political Prisoner Birthdays this week are Stanley L. Cohen (Dec 6) and Zolo Agona Azania (Dec 12). Tonight an unusually long Political Prisoner Radio Mix made from clips of prisoners Mumia Abu-Jamal, Asar Imhotep Amen, and Kenneth Hartman. The audio commentaries are recorded and posted by Prison Radio. Visit Prison Radio and support their work. If you want truth and facts vs lies and fiction, support independent media.http://tinyurl.com/fundblackmedia