I share my story because I believe in change, and I hope it inspires others to act with compassion.
My story begins in 1965 when I arrived in California from Jamaica. I was just seven years old. Touching down in New Orleans first felt like stepping into a whole new world—almost a utopia compared to where I’d come from. My family hoped to build a better life, and California became our home.
We started in Redwood City and later moved to Menlo Park. As a kid with a Jamaican accent, adjusting wasn’t always easy. I faced challenges fitting in, but I found ways to adapt and grow. By the time I was 10, I was looking for ways to make my own money—cutting lawns, selling greeting cards, and even teaching preschool kids their ABCs and numbers. Giving back became a big part of who I was, even as a young boy.
One moment stands out clearly. There was an elderly woman in a wheelchair who lived a block over from us. I’d often see her sitting at the edge of the crosswalk, waiting for the traffic to clear so she could cross the street. Day after day, she sat there, stuck. No one stopped to help her.
One day, I walked up to her and introduced myself. I asked if she was trying to cross the street, and she said yes, explaining that she needed to get to the store. I told her, “I’ll push you there and back home. Just let me know whenever you need help.” And that’s what I did—every other day or whenever I saw her. She’d offer to buy me something as thanks, but I always said no. Helping her felt good. It was how my parents raised me: not for rewards, but because it was the right thing to do.
When she passed away, I was deeply saddened. But I also realized something profound: we, as a society, often lack understanding. It’s a simple thing—stopping to help someone—but it doesn’t happen enough.
Now, after 46 years behind bars, I reflect on my life and the systems around us. I’ve seen firsthand how much we lack understanding—in our communities, our politics, and our justice system. I share my story because I believe in change, and I hope it inspires others to act with compassion.
Thank you for listening. God bless.
