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Featured Article for October 2011
Voices My name is Michael Kemp, and I’m a member of the Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop in Washington, DC. I work there as a Program Supporter, and I’ll soon be a Reentry Coach. I also work at the Campaign For Youth Justice video recording formally incarcerated youth, their parents and experts. I am one of those kids who spent time in the adult justice system.
Michael Kemp has been working as a fellow for the Campaign for the last three months. He was recently awarded a 2011 Activist Award from the Washington Peace Center. The D.C. community nominated him for his important work stopping the school to prison pipeline and with Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop. He was honored at the 7th annual Activist Awards Grassroots Gala on Thursday, December 8th, where he recited a poem reflecting on youth and activism. Thank you so much for all your hard work Michael and congratulations! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Are you Engaged? This is a time of togetherness, a time where friends and families must come together to show that they care about one another. It's not about the physical gifts that are given during this season, but it's the gift of love and support that matters the most. Just knowing you have someone there for you makes a huge difference. I can't name anyone who can honestly say they don't need anyone by their side. But I've learned that however much you want to support others, you can't give something that you are yet to have yourself. But when you find that love of yourself, don't be afraid to share that love with someone who may really need it, especially at a time like this. The first word that comes to mind when I think about engagement is commitment. Perhaps this is because of the marital association with the word engagement, but being engaged to someone or in something requires a commitment to that someone or something. It requires being selfless: being there for someone or a cause because you care and want to make a difference. If I have anything to do with it I'm hoping for the best possible outcome not only for myself, but most importantly for the person or cause I was there for in the first place. I can honestly say my life would've been totally different if I would have had the proper engagement during my upbringing, but life is life so I also wouldn't be writing this article. I want to stress the importance of being engaged not only during this wonderful holiday season, but also throughout the whole year. There is always someone out there who needs love, support, or someone to actually show them that someone cares. Even taking the time out of your day to sit down to talk to someone about their problems can help because it shows that you're willing to give that listening ear. It's sad to say that it took for me to get in trouble with the law to receive the proper help and support I needed; however, I want to emphasize it wasn't the criminal justice system that gave me that help. It was a few organizations with some good hearted people who were willing to engage with me. The thought I want to leave you with is this: no kid should be sacrificed to the adult criminal justice system, and a kid should not have to be incarcerated for people to see the damage that has been done. We need more programs and organizations out in the communities to engage with the youth before things "go wrong." You can't fix something you can't see. So if you were blind before, I hope you're not now. Have a happy holiday and stay engaged...
Sincerely,
Michael Kemp@ the Campaign For Youth Justice
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