It is, Sal, . . . most of the time. So far, so good. Marek
** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sal Sunshine <salsunsh...@...> wrote: > > On Jan 29, 2009, at 1:58 PM, Marek Reavis wrote: > > What Edg pointed out earlier, however, is true for all of us, I > > feel. As primates we are quick to recognize distinctions and if we > > have been trained (by education or experience) to associate certain > > differences with "bad", then it's understandable that we act and talk > > the way we do around "others". > > > > One of the things that I find most rewarding about my work is that, > > at times, I get to be present when a client comes to a realization > > about "others" where he/she can draw a relationship between a group > > that they hate and themselves. I'm dealing right now with a young > > man who is in a world of trouble (after a lifetime of trouble and > > abuse) who, the last time he was in prison, abandoned his skinhead > > affiliations by refusing to stab a black inmate on the yard, because > > a black psychologist had shown him compassion and helped him gain > > insight during counseling sessions with him. > > > > Among other things, his refusal to follow orders means that when he > > goes back to prison he will always be in PC (protective custody away > > from the general population and essentially confined 23 hours a > > day). The operative phrase is "blood in, blood out". Initiation > > into any of these groups (whether in prison or on the outs) involves > > the spilling of blood (the initiate's or someone else's -- or both), > > and refusal to abide by the group's code or orders from an authority > > within the group means that there is a lifetime contract on the > > violator's life. > > > > It wasn't an easy choice for him to make. His tattoos and appearance > > identify him indelibly as a member of a group that he no longer > > identifies with and can never rejoin. He is an outcast in every > > possible sense of the term, hated (not necessarily without good > > reason) by all, and accepted by none. He has told me on more than > > one occasion how much he appreciates the work I do for him, and I > > consider that high praise and good reward for my time. > > Great story, Marek, thanks! Your work must be very fulfilling. > > Sal >
