The Dandelion Rising Leadership Institute (DRLI) is close to my heart because of two main reasons:
1. At the age of 19 I was arrested for a murder I did not commit.
2. The way I introduce myself and the program to our students each year.
As an introduction I ask the new students their names and their ages. After I tell them my story I go right back to that first introduction and let them know why I asked: to show them that I was close to their age when I was sent away to do a life sentence for a murder I didn’t commit. I show the DRLI students that I am just now able to speak to them in person at 52 years old. This introduction tends to get their attention.
Once I have their attention I share that I now understand the way I became so subjected to the system. I didn’t know the laws or the depths of the neglect in my community and surrounding areas, and at the same time I became known to the police as a gang member. Nevertheless, I didn’t murder anyone. So I tie the 7-week DRLI curriculum into my personal life story and the personal stories of DRLI students, which include subjects like mass incarceration, police violence, and even fellow students being choked in classrooms by law enforcement officials.
As part of the institute students get a chance to learn through our Know Your Rights training, and to use the skills learned whether it be on campus or at home. These are some smart students! They even have a few campaigns of their own including Students Not Suspects and Students Deserve – fights that strive for decreased policing at schools across Los Angeles.
That’s why I enjoy working with the youth. A lot of them want to know better so they can do better, in particular by understanding their rights. The police profile people when they are looking for a suspect and the person who is arrested and charged might be them even if they did not commit the crime, as was true in my case. When young people are impacted by major stressors such as racism and poverty they can sometimes end up participating in harmful behavior. While DPN believes we must be accountable for harm caused we also believe that the system also needs to be accountable for the environments it creates.
Youth want to understand how campaign work for justice is done. In addition to in-classroom learning, our DRLI students receive the opportunity to intern with DPN staff and participate in LA County Board of Supervisors meetings, Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission meetings, Freedom Harvest wellness events, and supporting our Reform L.A. Jails ballot initiative.
Are you a teacher interested in hosting or a student interested in participating in DRLI? Contact me!