Slave Narrative #39: Real Thoughts and Experiences from the Perspective of Massachusetts Prisoners

PEACE

By Honorable Marcus Dyer

At times I sit and reflect about certain things, lately I’ve been questioning why quiet is synonymous with peace. Often growing up I’ve heard my mother say she wanted “Peace & Quiet,” after coming home from a day of work. Also, I have often heard the phrase “Rest in Peace” when referencing the dead. Since I’ve been in these modern dat slave plantations (Department of Correction) I’ve often heard “Quiet time,” “Lock-In” and “Lights out.” To me, quiet, resting and lights out are symbolic to DEATH! Even hearing the words lock-in makes me think of a coffin or tomb.

Is it me, or does anyone ever think of how once a judge enters the courtroom everyone is expected and told to rise (awake) in the presence of a judge, however, once a judge seats, the courtroom is figuratively dead. if anyone has ever sat at any criminal court proceeding represented by a lawyer, you kind of feel eulogies right in front of your eyes. Oddly enough you are not expected to speak about you. You are supposed to be quiet (dead).

Maybe some time ago and in the future peace will be synonymous with quiet; however, in these times, the only way I’ll achieve Peace is through my words and actions. We have to speak up; a wise man once told me I have to yell the loudest because I’m on the BottomThis system’s whole aim is to silence you because you are deemed no longer a person, you are Property! You are shelved (locked-in) and inanimate/dead (lights-out) until/unless luckily they admit you found a flaw in their method of dealing with you and they “return” you back to society/(a person).

Me, my plan is to whisper until I can talk, talk till I can yell & yell until my needs are met. If I die in the process, I did my part, because an injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere.

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