I just wanted to clear something up real quick.
I hate the idea of being reduced to a pawn in a political game; it’s insulting, and it happens every single election cycle. Imagine dealing with the everyday grind of prison life, only to find that a certain sect of Trump supporters out there are using your situation to harm a politician they don't agree with, but not because they actually care. It’s degrading. We’re people, flawed as we are, and we exist outside of your political agenda.
Republicans, in general, cannot lay bad policy decisions solely at the feet of Democrats, when they themselves have been championing them since the start of the whole “War On Crime.” The glaring hypocrisy is astounding. Even the Democrats had to get tough on crime to get elected in the ‘90s, we all know it’s true. The country shifted, scarily, into authoritarianism.
And, while we’re clearing things up, let’s be real honest: the people making the argument that Harris is “tough on crime” never gave incarcerated people like me a second thought before now. They're just exploiting us because it's currently convenient.
I take that back, that's not true.
Some of them were pretty vocal, right here on the blog, and just about everywhere else on the internet, about shoving all lifers into gas chambers, strapping us into old sparky, or jamming a needle in our arm in order to lower their taxes.
But now? Now we're useful, at least until after the election, right? Much like a lot of political games, it's all smoke and mirrors, a red herring. A distraction. Performative, manufactured outrage.
I’d rather have Harris' policies any day of the week compared to anything put forth by a Republican. Look at that asshole sheriff in Maricopa County and you'll have a good idea of what exploitation and mistreatment of the incarcerated truly is when taken to extremes.
I’ve experienced firsthand what happened in prisons during the Trump era, and the last thing I want is four more years of that. The chaos, the division, the blatant disregard for justice reform—none of it sits well with those of us already on the receiving end of a flawed system. I might not love Harris, but I sure as hell don't want a repeat of the Trump era.
Look at the justice system in any red state and the evidence is clear who's the actual villain in this scenario. Prosecutors are all assholes of one kind or another, but the ones on Team Orange are far worse.
Ultimately, what I want is reform that actually benefits us. I want policies that focus on rehabilitation, not just punishment. I want leaders who see us as people, not just numbers or sources of cheap labor. I want a system that offers a real chance at redemption, not one that’s rigged against us from the start. But the people using me in their political arguments don’t actually care about any of that; they just want to make sure their Cheeto Chief is put back in the seat of power.
Republicans banging on Harris for justice-related issues is like a really gnarly vampire (you know, like Akasha) pointing at a mosquito and crying foul. It's ludicrous!
To all those who wish to use others and cast them aside when convenient: the next time you think about using the men and women who are incarcerated as part of your political argument, while not actually giving a damn about us beyond achieving your own petty little “I drink liberal tears” games, choose to be a human being instead.
We’re people and we deserve better than to be dragged into the political fray without our consent or our voices being heard.
On a very personal note: Please don't take my tone to mean I'm not upset, I am, who wouldn’t be? Though I’m not nearly as angry as my mamma bear who handles all things website. When she witnessed the very thing I wrote about today in action, she saw red. She was channeling her inner Eminem and spitting absolutely brutal truths. As much as I appreciate both her protective nature and liberal use of extremely colorful language that would make a seasoned sailor blush, it's when we are stressed that we, collectively, need to take a deep breath and center ourselves.
Goosfraba.
Disclaimer: These opinions are my own and do not reflect the views of the vast majority of Trump's supporters in prison. Who supports him? That would be the racists, skinheads, and “good Christian” pedophiles I’m trapped in here with. Yes, really. These groups regularly thump the Bible to maintain their façade of decency, justifying their vile tendencies while praising the great orange one.