The Bing

Hotep,


Prison life is hard enough without the inclusion of solitary confinement, aka “The Bing”. This form of punishment can be a harsh reality of incarceration. My reason for saying, “can be,” is because some prisoners have the ability to delve deep within themselves and accept the concept of this punishment as an opportunity for self-replenishment. Na mean?

Ten to fifteen days can be a walk in the park for the average prison inhabitant, but when days turn into months and months become years, “The Bing” can be a horrific experience for someone who thrives on daily interactions with familiar faces; or someone who may have delusional expectations that they should be treated with a higher regard, by prison officials, than the next prison inhabitant. Feel me?

Speaking from experience, I’ve learned that it’s a grave challenge waking up every day and interacting with a complete stranger; a stranger who has been condemned to death for killing another person or persons. Sometimes “The Bing” can be a relief, a time to exhale and refocus your vision on the ultimate task at hand. But, the average human being cannot withstand the conditions or mentality of the state’s version of solitude.

I somewhat enjoy the few privileges allowed to me: Outside recreation, canteen and DVD movies. I can’t whole-heartedly enjoy these privileges because I understand that they are rewards in a sense, to remain obedient. I don’t need to be rewarded for obedience, which is why I refuse to whole-heartedly enjoy the dangling carrot of penitentiary privileges. But I’ll embrace the process of recharging my life’s battery. The rejuvenation of my mental comes about when I separate myself from others. And, it’s not essential that I go to “The Bing” to accomplish that. Na mean?

Death row prisoners are permitted 14 ½ hours a day of restricted movement outside of their cells. I choose to spend 5 of those 14 ½ hours of so called freedom inside of my cell, evaluating myself daily. Real talk. For this reason, my focus remains clear: My ultimate goal of UHURU (Swahili for “Freedom”) stands as top priority. Therewith, reaching the masses to educate, learn and attempt to expel the stereotypical idiosyncrasies, of a death row prisoner; stereotypes that are nurtured by crooked lawmakers and their cronies in the mass media. Ya heard?

“The Bing” is designed to damage the mindset of a sane person. At times, the walls of seclusion will overwhelm its inhabitant, imposing a feeling of being buried alive is probably a more accurate testament. This feeling induces psychotic reactions from sane human beings (e.g. Suicide attempts, swallowing batteries, self-mutilation). All attempts, at receiving human interaction. Feel me?

Obviously, some people cannot deal with the walls of seclusion, but I prefer to take a page from the legendary novelist/journalist, Mr. Wilbert Rideau’s book, “In the Place of Justice.” Or better yet, a mere phrase: “Aren’t we always struggling against walls? Not always of concrete and steel, but walls nonetheless – ignorance, poverty, indifference, oppression.” Word is bond!!

Keep on Keepin,

MannofStat
Copyright © 2010 by Leroy Elwood Mann