By Daniel Ramirez
From PHN Issue 52, Spring 2023
Criminality begins with potential perpetrators dehumanizing potential victims in their own mind. Using words such as this person is a “monster” or an “animal” or even a “snake.” Not worth the ground he/she walks on. And so on… We put a negative spin on a person so we can have a reason to look down on them or treat them unfairly. Potential perpetrators use labels upon people whom they want to victimize and treat any way they want.
Let us use an example: officers who work for the state will not give you the respect you deserve. In fact, you’re abused, intimidated. Sometimes you are in fear for your life. All because you are a convicted criminal. First let us break down the word “convicted criminal.” It is a person who has been convicted of a crime and more likely a felony. And most say a criminal will always be a criminal. What does it mean when you took something that was not yours from anyone at any age? Were you a criminal? Are you still a criminal? When you lie, was it a small or a big lie? Does it really matter? You have lied. Once a liar always a liar? Why must we endure this “jacket” for life and allow others to treat us any way they want? We go back to the beginning. Dehumanizing involves words! Let us be careful how we treat each other so others may see how they should treat us. Next time you are dehumanized, ask, “Do I need to listen to this?” Just like you don’t like it, neither does the next person.
Even in an environment such as prison, we have a choice to let others influence how we do time, or we can take it upon ourselves to make some changes to be better people.
Prison Health News 