Our kids deserve a second chance
Several days earlier, I sat with Miguel at juvenile hall. His parents couldn't keep him because of their addictions, so his aunt adopted him along with his sister. More than a year and half ago when he was arrested, his aunt put a lien on their house in order to hire a private lawyer. According to Miguel, the best deal his lawyer could get him was 30 years.
During meditation on Wednesday, Miguel wrote how he was feeling, but when it came time to share with the group, he was too upset and did not want to read what he had written.
Recently, Javier Stauring from the archdiocesan Office of Restorative Justice and I were in Sacramento to work for the passage of Senate Bill 9 through the Senate. Prior to the vote there was an opportunity for any senator to speak for or against the bill. Different senators spoke against the bill with some rather lame rhetoric. They argued how kids, like Miguel, were dangerous to society. Senator Juan Vargas was very articulate as he spoke in favor of passing the bill: "Kids deserve a second chance." It passed!
Here in the Northwest of our country, the beauty of flowing rivers, fir trees with all classes of animals seems normal. So too does the peaceful countryside, the friendliness, and the distance from the jungles of many of our inner cities. The peaceful environment is normal for this part of the world.
Yet, as I sit here staring into the river with the fresh smells of an early June morning, I reflect how it seemed normal to be sitting on Wednesday with Miguel, a 16-year-old, who also has a one-year-old baby. I feel his pain as he stares not into the fast flowing river, but rather into the face of a 30-year sentence.
I recall what happened in Sacramento and realize how important it was to get SB 9 passed by the floor of the full Senate. Of course, there is still a long way to go before this bill is turned into law, but at least now there is some hope that others could realize how dangerous it is for society when we consider cruel and unjust sentences for kids as normal. Finally, there is the first official sign of changing what people in California have for so long regarded as normal, but in reality is very sick and sinful.
In the flowing river, I also see the college student with his future ahead of him. For many, this is normal, but it is difficult not to feel some anger when you realize how different it will be for Miguel. It is wrong what we continue to do to our youth of color, who are never given a chance by living in our inner city jungles; never given a script which would lead them to college.
Above this river the geese fly gracefully. To where are they flying? To which college will this student attend? What will happen to Miguel?
Miguel, I really felt powerless as I sat with you on Wednesday. But I have hope that, just as the force of this full river is so fierce, and the flight of geese above is so constant, one day you will be given a second chance.
It took a fast flowing river on this beautiful June morning in Spokane to set in contrast the abnormal and cruel death sentences we give to kids. In this current flow so many faces, so many stories --- where are Moraz, Islas and Morales? The lives of these kids, and so many like them, are flowing rapidly down river into adulthood.
We are grateful for Senator Vargas’ last-minute efforts to help us realize that the "normal" death sentence we give to our youth will one day be regarded as totally abnormal. We pray that the legislators in the Assembly will be moved to give our kids a chance when their time comes to cast their vote, and that the governor will sign SB9.
Father Michael Kennedy is the Catholic Chaplain of the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar and the executive director of the Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative, www.jrji.org or (310) 559-0777. For more about the SB9 visit www.fairsentencingforyouth.org/legislation/senate-bill-9-california-fair-sentencing-for-youth.
During meditation on Wednesday, Miguel wrote how he was feeling, but when it came time to share with the group, he was too upset and did not want to read what he had written.
Recently, Javier Stauring from the archdiocesan Office of Restorative Justice and I were in Sacramento to work for the passage of Senate Bill 9 through the Senate. Prior to the vote there was an opportunity for any senator to speak for or against the bill. Different senators spoke against the bill with some rather lame rhetoric. They argued how kids, like Miguel, were dangerous to society. Senator Juan Vargas was very articulate as he spoke in favor of passing the bill: "Kids deserve a second chance." It passed!
Here in the Northwest of our country, the beauty of flowing rivers, fir trees with all classes of animals seems normal. So too does the peaceful countryside, the friendliness, and the distance from the jungles of many of our inner cities. The peaceful environment is normal for this part of the world.
Yet, as I sit here staring into the river with the fresh smells of an early June morning, I reflect how it seemed normal to be sitting on Wednesday with Miguel, a 16-year-old, who also has a one-year-old baby. I feel his pain as he stares not into the fast flowing river, but rather into the face of a 30-year sentence.
It is wrong what we continue to do to our youth of color, who are never given a chance by living in our inner city jungles.
I recall what happened in Sacramento and realize how important it was to get SB 9 passed by the floor of the full Senate. Of course, there is still a long way to go before this bill is turned into law, but at least now there is some hope that others could realize how dangerous it is for society when we consider cruel and unjust sentences for kids as normal. Finally, there is the first official sign of changing what people in California have for so long regarded as normal, but in reality is very sick and sinful.
In the flowing river, I also see the college student with his future ahead of him. For many, this is normal, but it is difficult not to feel some anger when you realize how different it will be for Miguel. It is wrong what we continue to do to our youth of color, who are never given a chance by living in our inner city jungles; never given a script which would lead them to college.
Above this river the geese fly gracefully. To where are they flying? To which college will this student attend? What will happen to Miguel?
Miguel, I really felt powerless as I sat with you on Wednesday. But I have hope that, just as the force of this full river is so fierce, and the flight of geese above is so constant, one day you will be given a second chance.
It took a fast flowing river on this beautiful June morning in Spokane to set in contrast the abnormal and cruel death sentences we give to kids. In this current flow so many faces, so many stories --- where are Moraz, Islas and Morales? The lives of these kids, and so many like them, are flowing rapidly down river into adulthood.
We are grateful for Senator Vargas’ last-minute efforts to help us realize that the "normal" death sentence we give to our youth will one day be regarded as totally abnormal. We pray that the legislators in the Assembly will be moved to give our kids a chance when their time comes to cast their vote, and that the governor will sign SB9.
Father Michael Kennedy is the Catholic Chaplain of the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar and the executive director of the Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative, www.jrji.org or (310) 559-0777. For more about the SB9 visit www.fairsentencingforyouth.org/legislation/senate-bill-9-california-fair-sentencing-for-youth.
Directories
Vida Nueva
Past issues
PayPal Donation
Archdiocese
Member Login
Latest Events
May
- St. Robert Bellarmine Family Festival
General
May 18, 2013 (11:00 AM - 11:00 PM)
- St. Claire BBQ & Faire
General
May 18, 2013 (3:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Rosary Service for the Unborn
General
May 19, 2013 (2:00 PM)