Free at Last

Lemonta Renna McBroom

Emancipation has been almost two months now. A thought came
across my mind the first day I was out: leave all that SQ stuff behind.
You know, the anger, the defenses, posturing, the looking over your
shoulder every three to five steps. Don’t get me wrong, caution is required out here as well, but it seems a different alertness than that experienced in the land of the lost (SQ).

For me, the nectar of the gods, my first drink, was a big cup of hot tea with real lemon and sugar. Eleven o’clock pm, I went for a long walk (2 miles) and every other day I walk about the same distance. No fences, no walls for miles.

My universe has clearly changed, and as a result so have my habits. In my new cosmos, washing dishes, mopping floors and fixing every broken thing around the house is fun. Cooking on a real stove, and washing and drying garments are joys. In the pit (SQ), on rare occasions you would find me in church. Since I have been out, every Sunday I am in church.

I have not started to work, because I did not have to, but there are jobs out here if you are willing to work. I am taking my time and getting some training. In this county it is mandatory that you attend an orientation at Employment Development Department for job placement, housing, medical services, drug treatment, and the like. I just completed my Bay Area Training Corporation training last week, about to take an OSHA training (10 hour course) and a 40 hour Hazardous Materials course. OSHA and HM are free at the EDD.

The college program has given me some great study habits. These training programs seem elementary comparatively and having my AA certainly has not hurt. What I really want to tell you is, it is no where near as hopeless as the parole violators make it appear. Do not get me wrong, I know I am blessed. I have a wife and home to come to, food on the table, clothing, and a means of getting around, but even in the absence of all these, I know that I would make it and therefore you will make it. You just have to be willing to take advantage of the programs available to you.

I imagine, after thirty-three years, prison will always be a part of me. I think however, the trick is not to become a part of the prison. I need to keep my experiences and use them to my advantage, and become a better me.