Running Head: IMMERSION

Cultural Immersion #1 (My interview with an Ex-Convict) Deborah Morrison Georgia State University

IMMERSION Introduction

According to Lum (2011), moral exclusion occurs when persons or groups are perceived as being outside the boundary in which values, rules, and considerations of fairness apply-that is, outside the boundaries of social justice (p.104). Individuals that falls on out skirts of others moral boundaries appear to be undeserving, so any harm that comes to those individuals appears to be justified (p.104). In my opinion, people serving time in prison or have served time is undeserving of any social justice, and anything to help them to become empowered. I decided that I would like to interview my nieces father about his experiences in society now that he has served his time in prison, and what his life is like since being released. I never thought in a million years that I would conduct an interview with someone released from prison, especially someone that I have known since childhood. I was a nervous wreck before meeting him at his home, because I have not seen him since August 2001. In the past, he and I were not close. I always considered him to be a thug, a low-life, and a man of no character. I told him once that he would never be a productive member of society, because he is nothing- a true nobody. My thoughts and feelings before the interview: I sat in my car going over my questions, holding on to my phone, constantly wiping my sweaty palms, because I did not think he would agree to this interview. I felt scared, because I was not sure what his temperament would be towards me due to our past, however when I finally got the courage to knock on the door I was greeted by his wife and two daughters. Then I was greeted by a smiling man whom resembled the guy I knew years ago. The interviewee introduction: The man I interviewed is a thirty-four year old man, who is a husband, and father of 8 children. He was incarnated for over 10 years at two different state prisons. His name is Ricardo, but he goes by Cardo. Cardo explained to me that he has forgiven me for the things I said to him so many years ago, and that he now understand why I felt the way I did. He told me that he was very young when he entered the judicial system; he is basically illiterate due to him dropping out of school in 8th grade. However, since elementary school, he was promoted from one grade to the next, despite his inability to read. His teachers did not want to deal with a disruptive child. According to Nevada Department of Corrections (2012), low literacy is strongly related to crime, and students who cannot read by the 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare. His mother was a single uneducated Black Woman who encouraged him to be a drug dealer. She stressed to him that it was his responsibility to take care of his family, because he was considered being the man of the house. He explained that he always wanted to do better so that he could have a better life, but he lacked the skill, support and education to achieve that. The interview: Cardo stated that, being labeled as an ex-felon hinders him from gaining employment, therefore affecting his family. He stated at times he becomes so frustrated and depressed,

IMMERSION

because he is a grown man with a wife and children and he cannot provide for them. He stated that once he goes into an establishment he has such confidence that today is the day I will gain employment, I will make a difference, and I will be a better man, however, once he gets to the section about have you ever been convicted of a crime? he loses his confidence. He still fills out the application with help of his wife; however he never receives a call back. He told me that does something to a mans psyche, because as a man you want to be able to provide for your family, and it hurts for him to tell his children he cannot buy them a bag of chips because he has no money, he said that hurts so badly. He said he will not give up with his quest to finding employment. He said he has gotten really involved with the church, and learning how to read. I asked him a very important question: What we can do as social workers to advocate for inmates once they are released from prison? He stated that we could advocate for job placement programs that will help inmates to gain employment upon their release from prison. He stated we could also advocate for the wages inmates make in prison to go into a saving fund, so once they are released they have some money to help keep them afloat until they gain employment. He said he isnt sure what is right, but he feels he has paid his dues, he did his time, and now he just want to move on to being a different man, and not fall back into what he knows because its easier to go back, but harder to make positive changes. My feelings after the interview and to my plan increase cultural competency within this group: After my interview with Ricardo I felt empathy for him, I felt I understood him better. I realized that I should not judge an ex-con because of their past, but look at who they are today, and understand that everyone has a story- a background as to why they are in the place they are in. I feel this interview helped me understand that once an inmate is released from prison that they should be allowed to re-enter society as productive members of society. They should be given the opportunity to gain employment, so they will not repeat the same crimes that lead them to prison in the first place. Conclusion This paper is a reflection of my cultural immersion experience. This assignment was extremely difficult to complete, because I truly wanted to gain deep insight into this learning experience. I had to reflect on which cultural immersion would force me to engage with individuals on a personal level which is the most difficult for me, because I usually become very nervous when I have to interview individuals face to face or interact within large crowds. I wanted to focus on an immersion that would help to enhance my educational journey by helping me to improve my scores for my post-test on cultural competency and skill development. I really enjoyed my interview with Ricardo; however I am sure I still have a long way to go before I will be completely comfortable with a person who has an arrest record, especially a felony. However, I no longer will refer to a man or woman as an ex-con, but only as Man or Woman. Labels hinder people from seeking or making change, and subconsciously make people act to what they are labeled as, so I want to pledge to myself that I will do away with negative labels.

IMMERSION References

Lum, Doman. (2011). Human rights and social and economic justice. Culturally competent practice: a framework for understanding diverse groups and justice issues [4th Ed] (pp. 104). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Nevada Department of Corrections. (2012, spring). Education service newsletter. Retrieved from http://www.doc.nv.gov/sites/doc/files/pdf/education/Education_Services_Spring_2012_Newslett er.pdf