Olympic medalist Eric Liddell once gave a speech saying, ” There is written over the entrance to the University of Pennsylvania, ‘ In the dust of defeat as well as in the laurel of victory, there is glory to be found if one who has done his best.’ There are many here who have done their best, but have not succeeded in gaining the laurel of victory. To these, there is as much honor due as to those who have received the laurel of victory.”
When I read this, I think of the many women and men who have dedicated their lives to reform, both prison and sentencing and to those of us who have reformed from within these walls, relinquishing our contumacious behavior and showing an edaciousness for change that surpasses by far the lifestyles that got us here in the first instances.
Proposals for reform are ignored, parole shot down, and clemencies passed up yet another year, and we feel like the victory will never come.
I long for my full freedoms as much as anyone, yet now I am reminded that victory is already here, for the honor lies in the fight and doing all we can, in giving our best. The rest is icing on the cake.
To those of you out there fighting for the reforms needed to get us home…win or lose, there is glory in your fight. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!
To those who are inside and fighting to get home, your loved ones are blessed by seeing you have become the best version of yourselves, take glory in that while you await your full freedom.
