This time, I carried the belief that my personal freedom cannot be taken from me. This time, I would not try to be someone I was not. This time, I would not just survive. I would thrive.
Three years ago I arrived at San Quentin with a renewed mindset. As our bus crossed the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, over the bay, I reflected upon everything I had done wrong since 2019 when my incarceration began. I had fallen into despair, a sense of having everything meaningful to me completely break down.
In the spirit of Jean Paul Sartre’s teachings, I hold authentic existence to be the virtuous one. For me, being principled means seeking answers from within myself as opposed to conforming like I have always done for upwards of two decades. Today I value the liberty to exercise my never-ending curiosity towards the world around me. Today, I know that I cherish genuine interpersonal connections above more superficial pleasures.
This time, I would do things differently. I am more motivated than ever, maintaining my hope towards cultivating a brighter future.
