ELEVEN
Letters
To leave a positive impression on a young mind is very important, especially when that person is at a very young age. No matter how distinguished you are or what your profession may be, if you project a negative first impression or image that looks good to some young people they will try to emulate it. It is my opinion that so many people are only out for personal gain when they say things like, “Let’s save our young people—let’s save our children.” I mean you hear it so much yet our teenagers and our children are killing one another now more than ever. I feel that words such as “children and youth” are only words that are considered to be the “now” words by many and are used for personal gain only. For example, getting elected to public office. So many of our youth are realizing this. Young people don’t live their lives with blinders and earplugs on. They see all, and hear all, and it’s best that adults be real with them. I speak to so many young people that are locked up, so many that are living on the street going from day to day hungry and not knowing which way to turn or to whom to turn. My heart bleeds for them because there was a time in my life when I journeyed along that same road. Most of them are not being saved. Some of the people that promised to save them didn’t keep their promise. So many people have given up on our youth. When you can read in the local newspaper a statement like “somebody better lock that twelve-year-old girl up so she won’t get hurt” lets me know that the problem is not the child; it’s the adult, or should I say the system. I receive letters from children and teenagers, as well as adults, expressing how they are feeling every day of their lives. I try to be a shoulder for them, and I try to help them as much as I can. I know how it feels to think that no one cares. Some of their actual letters are included here to give an idea of how some of our youth feel, and to share what some of them are going through every day of their lives. Their names are fictitious to protect their precious identity. I speak not of situations that I’ve heard about, but what “these eyes” see all the time, and what I’ve been through myself.
*****
12/11/86
Boston, MA
Time: 5:57 p.m.
Dear John:
Thank you for all of the help that you have given to me. I know that you have been thinking about leaving B.S.T. and moving on, but I hope that when you leave you will remember me. I will never forget all that you have done for me and I will never forget you either. I have fun with you when you play
the guitar and I hope that you make it on TV. I am really going to try harder to stay off socialization and do what I have to do to get out of here. I hope that if you leave you finds another job working with kids! Because you really help them a lot at least you helped me a lot (when I listen). I am finally beginning to realize that fighting is not the answer. Hope you like this letter.
From your little buddy, B-bop
(12-year-old incarcerated white male)
P.S. You have beautiful green eyes! (Ha! ha! ha!)
*****
Only God Can Judge Me!
November 13, 1997
Greensboro, AL
Mr. Johnny Bodley,
I am very thankful to you for taking the time out to come to the detention center to talk to us about STDs and also about AIDS. I don’t know about everybody else but me personally I’m very grateful. For one the detention center is the last place a person goes to talk to young juveniles. I’m seventeen years old now and nobody has ever come to me or any school I have attended
to talk about sex period. So I guess don’t everything bad comes out of being locked up. How I learned about all the things I know about was through my health classes, and taking time out to do research about those kinds of topics. I’m glad that you came out here today. I can’t stress that enough. But if all
possible can you send me some more information about other types of STDs. What I go by every day is put your trust in God; and nobody can steer you wrong! So that’s whom I depend on cause I’m the only family I got.
Miss Nia
(17-year-old incarcerated black female from Texas trapped in 'Bama!)
*****
January 27, 1998
Dear Mr. Johnny B.,
Hope at this day and time you and family are in the best health. Well as far as myself I’m not doing so well. I’m presently locked in the hole at the “Dallas County Jail” I need you to come out if you possibly can. I need your help as for I need the proper medication, adequate clothing, and etc. The other things I need you to do for me I will discuss them with you, when you
come out here to see me. With Gods will and grace. I know that you be busy, but please take time to come out here to the Dallas County Jail to see me as soon as possible.
Sincerely Yours,
AKA “Snake”
(48-year-old incarcerated black male)
*****
March 13, 1998
Tuscaloosa, AL
Johnny,
Hi, I would like to thank you once again for taking time out of your busy schedule to come to the University of Alabama to speak on my program. I, Again, apologize for the attendance. I would like to tell you that those that did attend really enjoyed it. I’m praying that God continue to bless you as you do his work. I Hope that you made it back okay.
Thanks Again, Kyiah
(19 year-old black female/college student)
*****
TIME: Unknown evening
DATE: 2/7/98
PLACE: West Alabama Youth Services [Detention]
REASON: To Let You Know You’re My Role Model
TO: My Big Brother Johnny
FROM: Summer
LOVE: My Lord Above
Dear Johnny,
I was so surprised to see you today! It seems like every time I’m at my lowest point, you always appear to lift my spirits! I hope I get your letter Monday, since I haven’t gotten it yet! Everyone is enjoying your stories, and all of the young ladies like myself are taking the “AIDS” discussion to heart!
Just the thought of it scares me. Its like things I always thought could never happen are affecting people around me, one of my best friends in the whole world, same name, same color eyes, hair, and same birthday. My best friend contracted HIV two years ago after she and I had an argument, she got in
with the wrong crowd, slept with a guy and got pregnant, and about six months later she found out she had HIV! She moved back to California that Christmas of 95, and I haven’t heard from her since. Every time I think of how much fun we had together, I cry! But that’s why I’m waking up and noticing that this does happen! But I really admire the way you’re so strong
about everything and I really enjoy saying you’re my big brother! Mine decided he would just take his life instead of trying to work it out, and watching what he went through, I told myself I didn’t want any part of it, but look where I wound up! but you know I’m glad it happened, because I met you and I haven’t had someone to look up to in a while, so it makes me feel happy when I see you doing what you do! Sometimes it seems so easy to give up when I see others leave before me, but I know whenever it’s time for me to go, I’ll go. Sometimes I don’t understand why this is happening to me, but in the bible it says, “ Lean Not Unto Your Own Understanding.” It gets so
rough at times! Especially knowing that I’ll spend Valentine’s day and my birthday here! My birthday is March 9th! and usually I love February 14th, because I get so many teddy bears and roses that I find it funny. Everyone tries to tell me I can’t listen to some of my music because it’s hillbilly stuff,
It’s not right for people to be so racial! Sometimes I wonder how God feel when there is racial tension between his children that he created equal! I want to get out of here, go back to school, get back into the band and be a cheerleader again, finishes school, and go to Mississippi state or Auburn university. I want to be a veterinarian. I’ve always had a lot of goals and dreams, I’m glad I have you to talk to, it always make me feel better to know there’s one person I can trust on this earth that will be here for me! It makes things easy to get through. I always had the problem of being a follower instead of a leader, thinking I had to do things that were wrong to fit in! but now I see that I can make friends without doing wrong, and that friends are people who care. but I’m just glad to be able to say that you’re my big brother and role model! You’re a very strong person and very caring. I’m glad I met you! Well I guess I’ll bring this letter to a close!
Yours Truly,
Summer
(15-year-old incarcerated white female)
May God Bless And Keep You
*****
May 24, 1999
-God-
A Letter to Little Man
“Little Man,”
There are many blessings in life but the most precious one that I have is to get you back! I never gave up hope that I (we) would find you again. For over 30 years you have been in my prayers and on my heart—every day!! I’ve lost so many people that I loved, that I just couldn’t give up hope that you would somehow survive. Isn’t it ironic? that you & I are the last two
from that time in our lives. Susie, Sam & I got together at least yearly and always we wished you were there to complete the four of us. I’ve never lost hope to find you! When Sam died I felt like my world of memories was falling in on me. Then Susie
died, and I felt like I did as a child—alone! I had to keep on believing that you were somewhere out there. Earlier in the year I got so depressed, because I had no one to talk to or remember with. I stayed up one night—all night asking god to help me find you. I knew you weren’t dead, I could feel you
alive. I’m so glad you are okay. Please don’t stay away, I’m so sorry I’ve missed all these years. Please keep in touch, I want to know all about your life. I’ve missed so much of it. Thank you for wanting me to share your life now. It means a lot, since I am and always will be, your family, as you are mine.
Love,
Naomi
