Tag: Absence of Light
Absence of Light: Love can lift spirit, but will be a burden if mishandled
Understanding how energy moves is essential. It protects your peace. It protects your focus. Most importantly, it protects your purpose. Read More »
Absence of Light: Prosecutorial debt is undermining fair trials
The judges and attorneys who owe a prosecutorial debt owe it because illegal actions occurred in their former positions. These illegal situations can’t be exposed due to the court system and politicians wanting to maintain the perception that they are above reproach. Read More »
Absence of Light: We must redefine justice as prison rehabilitation fails
Yet when it comes to violent crimes, our only response has been long prison terms and even longer ones upon re-offense. There would be no complaints if our prison rehabilitation was successful at its attempt. Read More »
Absence of Light: Mental fortitude demands daily effort
So mental health is not just about reacting when things go wrong — it’s about maintenance. Daily discipline. Daily awareness. Daily cleansing of what doesn’t belong in your mind. Read More »
Absence of Light: Men must put ego aside, uplift one another
Commit yourself to amplifying — not diminishing — the men around you who are moving with purpose. Read More »
Absence of Light: Leaders fail youth by managing instead of mentoring
When leaders speak only in terms of rules, limits and maintenance of the status quo, they fail to ignite imagination. Youth disengage not because they lack discipline, but because they lack a reason to care. Read More »
Absence of Light: Spiritual balance is often lost in everyday life
Spiritual education is incredibly important, but often neglected because of the big push to earn a living and make it in today's society. Read More »
Absence of Light: I wasn’t arrested, I was rescued
Prison for me has become a safe haven. A place that allowed me to reevaluate and reinvent myself. Read More »
Letter from the Editor: Reintroducing Absence of Light
Absence of Light aligns closely with the opinion section’s aim to amplify voices across the greater Syracuse community, bringing perspectives outside of routine columnists to the paper. Read More »
Absence of Light: Legal institutions fail communities they’re meant to protect
Across the country, legal institutions created to support incarcerated people, detained immigrants and underserved neighborhoods are failing at their core mission. Read More »
Absence of Light: Humans, like diamonds, require transformation for admiration
You are not measured by how you begin, but by how well you transform. Read More »
United Society - Part 3
This movement of destiny for prison reform will carry unheard voices toward a more united society. Read More »
United Society - Part 2
"Generation after generation you have stories that were told, examples that were set, paths that were paved. The cracks in the concrete makes me wonder if we’re walking on unmarked graves." Read More »
Racial segregation is still prevalent in US 60 years after it was outlawed
Racial segregation is still a constant problem in the United States. It is evident throughout the education, business and political systems. Read More »
Bill No. A7442: An ingredient to end mass incarceration
Bill No. A7442 could potentially shorten the sentences of thousands of New York residents in prison. Read More »
If you feel trapped by injustices, don’t lose hope
For those of us in prison, we hear and see from the media the efforts being taken to expose and correct the injustices that have been occurring. Read More »
Negligent correctional officers create a dangerous environment for inmates
What is currently going on since the pandemic began leaves prisoners across the state in danger of negligence. Read More »
Imprisoned people are human, too. Stop treating us like we're not.
Our columnist details his experience of dealing with the pandemic behind bars. Read More »
Sometimes we forget we're not actually alone
We need to remember that, no matter the situation, we’re in this together. Read More »
Stop ignoring 'toxic' actions inside prisons
Inspired by the actions of a fictional snake and turtle, columnist Henry Holifield argues that the atrocities occurring inside prisons cannot be ignored. Read More »
A day inside a maximum security prison
Every morning, the author of this piece wakes up in Auburn Correctional Facility thinking the same thing, “I can’t wait to go home.” This is an account of a day in his life imprisoned. Read More »
What it's like quarantined in a prison dorm
White was moved to a contact tracing dorm on Jan. 31. He was then moved to a positive dorm just after midnight on Feb. 8. Read More »
Incarcerated people, correctional officers are more than just their labels
Prison reform is an uphill battle that requires the attention, respect, and understanding of society. Read More »
COVID-19, a Capitol breach and shifting power: A look at 31 days imprisoned
Absence of Light columnist Cliff Graham recounts his past month locked up during a pandemic. He starts and ends with a call to action from an incarcerated individual to his publics. Read More »