Exceptional

Feb 18

We’ve created a criminal justice system that requires a person to be exceptional in order to escape its grasps.

*An exceptional unicorn | Created by Jay W. Austin & DALL•E*

This is less than great for several reasons. Here’s one:

We only listen to the exceptional ones who’ve made it out. We celebrate them. They’re called “role models.” Some are even called “model inmates.”

But they’re unicorns of the system.

Their shine so blinding that we fall short of seeing the darkness from which they came. There are millions left in that darkness. So, the natural question becomes this: Why can’t the others do what you did?

Or more harmfully, He could do it, so why couldn’t you?

Our criminal justice system produces vastly more trauma than justice. You’ve got to be exceptional to rise above it.

To say the absolute least, it’s impractical.

Aye, I’m Jay. You’re on my personal site where I post things I make about interrupting mass incarceration, protecting migration, environmental justice & sustainability, language, communications, storytelling, creativity, and tech.

Learn about my ventures here, check out my non-profit initiative here, or explore my consultant services here.