I just remember going up to the podium having my voting sheet of paper in hand and checking those boxes. I felt empowered.

When I was a child, voting was a little confusing

The goals of my activism were to bring the events that affect gay men to the mainstream media and secondly to ensure the right health care is given to any LGBTQ persons in need.

People were excited for hope, change and progress; this was the vibe I was feeling from those images while I was standing in line.

As I reflected on my current stance as a voter, I can remember being so proud to register and become an active voter.

Growing up, I never really realized how lucky I was to be able to be living in America, to an American citizen, and to have the power to vote as soon as I turned 18, as I was only months away from my 18th birthday, and actually being able to cast a vote.

I learned more about them in one song, “You Must Learn” by KRS-One, than I ever did in my years in school. I also learned about the importance of asking questions and being willing to educate myself.

My father had strong feelings for national candidates and actively supported state and local candidates.

After my incarceration, I wasn’t eligible to register to vote. It was 2008 when I was cleared after a certain number of years.

Never stop believing in voting because your vote does matter and could make a big difference in the world.

I have not said this to many, but now I say it because in my 76 years of life I have met so many that are so hurt by society’s putting them down.

Because of the Clemente Courses I have been given the viewpoint that I can say things of value.

“You’re going to turn my daughter gay and corrupt the rest of the girls.”

Now I know I am a person of importance. I know my voice matters. I know my skin color shouldn’t determine how I should be treated.

My lifelong engagement in the life of the community was also inspired by the older people who used to hold weekly senior citizens meetings in my town.

Every generation leaves behind a legacy. What that legacy will be is determined by the people of that generation. What legacy do we want to leave behind?

Class discussions are always rich because Clemente students bring their extensive life experiences, questions, and emotions into the conversations.

Because of this experience, I started having meetings with Mandingoes boys like me. If we kept our mouths shut, nothing would change. We needed to stand up for one another.

I believe that the job of human beings is to nurture nature, do no harm to the earth, and bring about the creation of a beloved community.

Remembering what it feels like to be hungry, I started volunteering with an organization that helps the homeless, but I quickly realized I needed to do more.

I showed them the importance of hard work and I talked about the importance of education so they could have different lives than I do.

I learned early in my life that it is only in giving that we truly receive.

To build a safe and harmonious community, I think about making my own contributions like others do.

I reach out to other women who may be going through stressful situations managing their homes, their children, or school. I try to help them realize their dreams.

We must support organizations and individuals doing the work to break the cycles of incarceration.

This class really opened my heart in terms of how I feel toward advocacy, educating, passing on knowledge, activism and calling out problems.

Everyone has an importance to someone and should never be devalued based upon bad decisions. There is a chance of redemption for us all.

Sometimes we come into the rooms of recovery spiritually and mentally, sometimes we’re fiscally bankrupt and near death. We have no choice but to begin our path to becoming productive members of a society we know nothing about when we are sober.

My teacher was Mr. Frangules, who looked at me with a smile and said, “This is where you belong, and don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

I learned that I can best be engaged with my community by providing important educational services.