Human Prisoners

**In my post, I use the term "we" to represent today's society.** Dehumanization of the opressed in our country seems to be a common theme for marginalized groups. We give people an undesirable lable, "prisoner," and then assign that label to an entire population. Once we've clumped enough people under the umbrella of negative stereotyping, we can forget about their needs and move on with our lives. This injustice is even more oppressive when we also take control of the group's destiny. Controlling where they can go, what they eat, and how long they must remain in their opressive position-with prisoners, we not only dehumanize, label, and dictate their lives, we also starve them from emotional stability. When we see someone as "evil" or "socially unfit," that label triumphs all other labels. It is important for prisoners to evaluate this societal flaw and reclaim their identity. Prisoners who label themselves as prisoners, and problems for society, will be stuck in the prison life. Not only are they likely to be reincarcerated after leaving, they also have the emotional weight attached to being a societal piranha. Learning about the Holocaust gives the prisoners a chance to make connections between their oppression and the struggles of the Jewish people. Both groups were labeled, placed outside of the public's eye, and forgotten about. Once prisoners realize this emotional weight placed on them by society, they can begin to confront it and grow. Before the world can see prisoners for their true, human, selves, the prisoners must believe they deserve are "worthy".

Not only is it important for prisoners to learn to self-identify and believe in their capacity, it is beneficial for them to learn and feel responsible for their future. Holding class, and giving prisoners something to work for, humanizes them. It gives prisoners a sense of purpose and something to strive for. Society has told them "we don't want you, stay in this box." Class gives the prisoners a chance to respond and say "do what you want, we will still find a way to live and grow." Redoing the prison system is essential for prisoners to reclaim the "humanness;" but by providing education and other basic human rights. the prisoners (although still not the rest of the society) see themselves as worthy human beings.