What have you learned about yourself over the years?
The things I've learned over the years about myself, good or bad, shaped my life to become the person I am today. I learned self discipline, how o control my actions and not always let my emotions get the best of me. I learned how to be patient, especially doing time in jail and having to rely on people. Also, dealing withcourt and the appeals process helped me to learn patience.
What motivates you and who motivates you?
What motivatesme in life, first and foremost is my spiritual beliefs (GOD). Constantly prayingand knowing that the man above isn't going to put me through nothing I cant handle motivates me everyday. My two sisters, Lorenda and Latoya, seeing the adversity's they took on at such a young age and continue to push while still helping other people motivates me. My older cousin, Steven aka "strong" motivates me tremendously in so many ways, not only to continue my fight to get out of jail but to remember your struggles and also remember there's light at the end of the tunnel. Ever since day one, these people have been role models in my life. My little sister showed me that despite growing up in a difficult environment, she fought for her goalsand followed her passion, as well my older sister taking on the role of mother and sister, to two brothers who desperately needed guidance. My cousin strong currently service life in prison(been locked up since a teen and was never given a fair trial) still seems to always give me good advice and words of encouragement. These are the people that motivate me on an everyday basis.
Who are your top 5 artist and why?
My top 5 artists would have to be: Biggie, Jada Kiss, Styles P, DMX and Nas. Every last one of those artist actually came from the "hood"/Streets.
Rest in peace to Biggie, he kept it real on all of his tracks and so did the rest of the artist. DM, Jada and styles talked about everyday struggles that we all either went through or knew somebody that did, Money, problems, family issues, drug use, being locked up, you name it, they been through it and wrote songs about it. Nas raps that black revolutionary stuff, black history stuff and I like that because he also educates his listeners. I also got to give a big shout out to my boys, Dipset. That was my era before I got arrested in 2007. Dipset was the movement and everybody was riding that wavey train from fashion to the lingo they spoke.
What is your passion?
Writing is my passion. it comes natural to me. I may not be the best speller or know "big" words but I use what U know and that's what make it so much more real and uncut. I try to challenge myself to write everyday, Whether its a small poem, a freestyle rap, a hook or a chapter in a book. And most of my writing consist of everyday life that everybody can relate to.
Who has been helpful through this part of your lie?
The people that has been helpful through this part of my life has to be my close friends and family. My mom, first off, knowing that she got herself together and is no longer running the streets been a major help in my life. I've been less stressed and less worried. My brothers and sisters, just being able to communicate with them in my time of need been helpful. The consistency and dedication they have kept during these past 10 years. Receiving advise and knowledge and support from other inmates in similar situations have been helpful. The financial stability that's been provided from my friends and family throughout the years have been helpful. The mail, the pictures, so much have been helpful, I could go on forever.
What are some quotes you live by?
Some quotes I live by are, "The best teacher in life is experience"
"When faced with adversity real men and women stand tall and remain strong"... and a quote or message that motivates would be "without struggles, there is no progress"... "never let your mistakes define who you are"... "its better to fail in originality, than to succeed in imitation".
What message would you share with the youth?
One message Ill share with the youth would be to understand that everything we do, right or wrong, is a choice we make and learn from. Move past the mentality of worrying about what people might think of you. Always embrace what makes you unique, even if it offends others, especially the ladies out there. Also, be confident and believe in yourself. Keep your real friends and family close to you because they are the people who will stick by your side during the good and bad times. and most of all, follow your dreams and goals, never letting anyone control your destiny.
What message would you share with your younger self?
The most important message Ill share with my younger self would be to be a leader and don't follow the "wave" or "crowd" because it wont get you far. also to stand firm in the decisions you make, step out of your comfort zone and take risks. Listen to your parents, they always keep it real because they once was your age and learn from others mistakes.
What message would you like to share with your friends and family?
One message I'll share with my family and friends would be to keep each other close because at the end of the day, we all we got. one day they're here, the next day they're gone. Cherish your relationships. learn how to forgive, even though you may not always see eye to eye or always on the same page. communicate. communication is they key to a healthy relationship whether family, friend, husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
What are some of the struggles you go through daily?
Some of the struggles I go through on a daily basis is trying to deal with other inmates and staff personalities. Being confined 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with 2,600 -2800 people can be extremely scary and difficult. its a constant worry, not knowing whos who, being around sick minded individuals, murderers, rapist, drug dealers, you name it. Constantly being on lock down for others peoples actions (fights, assaults, etc.) Always been worrying about the courts and appeals is a major struggle I go through everyday because I constantly think about the outside world and all he things I've missed, the love ones I lost and the birth of new family members. I struggle to keep myself together everyday when I think about that.
What are some of the things outside people can do to help people on the inside?
One of the things I think people can do on the outside to help people on the inside is simple. communicate. that's the main thing we ask for, whether through mail, email, telephone, visits, whatever. Show support to your family or fiends that are in here because everyone makes mistakes in life, some lesser than others. Also think about how you would want to be treated if you were in that persons shoes. Not everyone in prison is bad. Also, send things to keep us occupied like learning material, books, newspapers, magazines to try and keep us in tune with what's going on in the outside world.
One last thing for the readers before I end this, always keep the "faith". I try to tell my friends that's in worst situations than me, friends that's never going home, family members that been in jail for the past 20 plus years, just continue to have faith. it took mea while in order to believe it but once I found it, it felt like a mass amount of weight was lifted off of my shoulders.
I'm not going to preach but I must share these last words before I end this, "evil communications corrupt good manners" and :evil company may corrupt faith". fully understand that because that's a real statement. surround yourself around people that have your best interest at heart. Keep faithful people around you and you and you'll notice the difference. Thanks for having me, feel free to ask me any questions, shout out to Lorenda, #aladalove is poppin'...
