How We Treat Marginalized & Devalued People

The New York Times has published an investigative report about the treatment, or more correctly, the mistreatment of prisoners that occurred after the escape of two inmates that clearly embarrassed the NYS Department of Corrections, Correction Officers and Governor Andrew Cuomo. The article reports on allegations by prisoners of beatings, threats and the use of solitary confinement, all used to try to solicit information on the escape. The full article can be viewed here and should be read to get a better understanding of how power and control works.

Sadly this is only one example. We can view pictures of the Watts uprising, Ferguson, read the report on what happened at Attica or review the history of the mistreatment and abuse of people with developmental disabilities from Willowbrook to today. The examples are everywhere and are international in scope. The common theme through all of this are the victims themselves. They are all people who are marginalized and devalued by people in power. Sadly, the people in power seem to believe they are unseen and unaccountable and in many cases are their own victims of abuse, bullying, etc.

Prisoners don't tend to generate large amounts of sympathy. There's an assumption that if you're behind bars, you're not only guilty but probably violent, bad and the symbol of evil. The Correction Officer's Union is currently responding by asking the question "you're going to believe convicted felons?".

Then there are those whose lot or place in our world is established by chance more than anything else. These are people of color, the poor, people with disabilities and many others. They have had no choice in their life circumstances and yet people treat them as inferior or worse. Why would we believe them?

Many of us are naive about the treatment of the people I'm speaking about. We need stories like the one that appears in the NY Times or a TV report showing actual abuse and mistreatment. Perhaps a historic video from 50 years ago in Watts showing the police response alongside a current nightly news broadcast of policing in Ferguson, Mo. The juxtaposition of these scenes may help some understand the frustration and yes the rage that people in those circumstances feel as they continue to seek justice. Old broadcasts of people with developmental disabilities at Willowbrook State School could educate some people about how society reacts to hidden and devalued populations.

I am not naive. I have experienced and seen the control, the power and the abuse and mistreatment. I have been arrested and incarcerated in local and federal prisons as a civil rights and anti war activist. It's amazing what happens when doors close behind you. There are good people and some very, very bad people who work in prisons and other institutional settings. Sometimes when doors close, accountability is left on the other side. Too often these are closed systems. People are given control over other human beings. People are able to shred you of every sense of privacy or dignity from body searches to open bathrooms and showers. Mail and visitations are monitored and information used to punish and intimidate. Solitary confinement is an easily used punishment along with holding back clothing, food or contact. Physical abuse can and does happen in corners and shadows. Psychological abuse can be rampant and extremely harmful.

We've moved to community settings vs institutional settings for people with developmental disabilities. I helped develop some of these settings and supports and yet even now things don't always work out in the best interest of the person supported. The constant in all of this are some of the people who want to control others and who seem to be comfortable with abuse and mistreatment.

I learned many years ago that it is absolutely imperative that we learn to share in the experiences of the poor and those who are treated unjustly. If we don't, our solutions, our answers, our assistance and support will be next to useless. Much of what I learned came from people like Dorothy Day. Dorothy knew the importance of sharing poverty and injustice. She also knew that the experience itself would assist in speaking up and taking action against the things that were wrong. Here is a link to an article that explains much better then I why these beliefs and actions are so important - Where Are The Missing Mystics Of The Revolution?

Many people try to make a difference in the lives of the poor, the imprisoned, people with disabilities and so many more but it's important to realize that there are others who want to treat these people poorly and who are quite willing to abuse and mistreat. It begins with a joke, some disrespect and ultimately control over decision making. Good people need to be on the alert, share the stories and share the experiences of people who may not be seen as important. Systems like filling out forms, checking boxes, etc. become bureaucratic responses that become ineffective quickly. Real solutions come from the heart, come from experiences and come from people not tolerating mistreatment.

Ultimately though it is a recognition of our common humanity, our value as equals that we need to focus on. We can all find ourselves in circumstances that are uncomfortable and unjust. We can all find ways to help people who are in those circumstances now. How we treat marginalized and devalued people is really important to all of us.