Author: Latif Torres-Robinson

“Is Inequality Systemic Racism?” “Why don’t we have laptops?” was what I curiously asked my science teacher at John F. Kennedy high school in Richmond, Virginia. “Well … I have no idea,” my teacher said as her head movement matched her disappointment. It was an open-ended question in which she didn’t have an answer for. […]

The Vanity Slave vs. The Man of God We all know the man suffering on a plantation, congested with toxic plants and poisonous snakes,chained by golden ropes embedded with diamonds,clothed with brands named after his false idol,entrapped in a maze with no knowledge to escape,and though he’s sheltered and equipped with food and water, he […]

Gun Safety Locks Last year in Newport News, Virginia, a African-American 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School shot his teacher. In a matter of days, the incident became a national headliner. School officials were warned about the little boy having a gun on the premise, but the child was clean when they searched him. However, […]

Let Go and Give It to God When I founded my brand “Stay Focused, Stay Free” in 2020, I didn’t have any ideas as to what I wanted my logo to look like. For the first few weeks, I brainstormed on a daily basis, working my little, big brain until I couldn’t remember my thoughts. […]

Dehumanization While U.S prisons have become lucrative investments for businessmen, it seems as though the philosophy of rehabilitation has adopted dehumanization. From misrepresentation in the Courts and mistreatment by prison staff to society’s classic perception of criminals, the current/former inmate receives a great deal of dehumanization. Since I have been incarcerated, I’ve been a target […]

A few days ago, I was sitting on the edge of my top bunk, swinging my legs and reading a book that I borrowed from the pod’s library tote. “What’s poppin’ bruh?” Lil Boii interrupted me. Remembering when I was his age, I understood the young man’s impulsive behavior. “What’s going on, lil bruh?” I […]

What Beth Saw in Me When I was an adolescent, I was curious about Elvis Presley. I know a lot of things about Elvis – from his songs to his electrifying performances. Beth, who was the wife of my stepfather’s longest client, was an Elvis super fanatic. If you went to Beth’s house, you would […]

Prison Mentality Written by: Peter SheltonEdited by: Latif Torres-Robinson This is prison life through my eyes. First, let me introduce myself and give you a quick summary of who I am. My name is Peter Obryan Shelton. I was born on February 25, 1982, and I’m the oldest of 8 siblings – 3 brothers and […]

Is Drill Music Misguiding Your Child? “My fingers [are] itchin’ to catch a body …” were the cold words a young man sang as he walked passed my bed area, bobbing his head and dancing to his drill music (modern day gangster rap). As I sat on my bottom bunk and reflected on what I […]

You Never Know Who You’ll Inspire When I was named “Peer Mentor” in August, I established a curriculum in hopes to encourage 70+ men to live a better life. One of my rituals is I write a weekly quote on my dorm’s blackboard. On a Friday afternoon after I wrote a quote. Tomas, who is […]