Unfulfilled Dreams
Cincere Knowledge
(Jamal Jones)
I’m not a artist, but I did want to create something to the best of my ability that depicts my thought and feelings from being incarcerated for 26 years.
The prison industrial complex does not want individuals to become better versions of themselves. I have experienced this every day since the first day of my incarceration. The system has banned books that limits me from educating myself. The system has limited my participation in not only being a student but also my role as a mentor andpeer educator. Because of this, I’m constantly fighting to be seen. To be accepted by society. I’m constantly fighting for a opportunity to be human.
My heart bleeds for companionship. It bleeds to be free to love. To experience love beyond incarceration. I’m crying, but I’m crying in the shadows. Prison culture does not allow for men to cry. I’m shedding tears out of one eye because there are two sides of me. The one that feels pain, hurt. The one that is lonely. The other side is the warrior. The one that is determined to liberate himself. To one day be able to fulfill my dreams.
Your voice carries loudly through your symbolism. I keep thinking of book pages with words and sections marked out underneath your art as an added layer to the lack of ability to seek knowledge.