Entre sueños y sombras: Zindy Abreu on Prison Writing

Zindy Abreu Barón is the talented writer, singer, poet, chess player, and mother whose friendship inspired me to teach writing at the Mérida CERESO. This fall, she is teaching her own class at the CERESOFE, the American Correctional Association -accredited women's prison that stands next to the old CERESO. (The U.S. government, through a program called the Merida Initiative, makes recommendations with the stated aims of heightening security and improving human rights within the Mexican prison system. Those that pass muster receive accreditation through the American Correctional Association (ACA).

With her permission, I have included below a translation of her account of a conversation she once had with a woman in the CERESO about the classes and workshops that are offered there. There is often resistance to attending the classes, particularly among inmates who have never had a chance to receive an education beyond the early years. (And prisons are overwhelmingly filled with people unable to access anything beyond primary education). And then there is the depression, the regrets, and the feelings of defeat. In this reflection, Zindy shares a conversation with a young woman who ultimately confronted her fear and began changing her life, from behind the walls...

.

******************

To the penitentiary! to give English classes to women in a vulnerable situation who deserve an opportunity. I'll leave you with this reflection:

Some time ago I was chatting with a young woman deprived of her liberty who thought she had no talent for learning to play the guitar and I said to her: well you've already done [something to be here], and you're here in this hell. Even here you can get through, you can improve your life and your children's lives, find a worthy occupation when you leave. Finish your elementary school education (there are classes there), you're intelligent. Learn to play the guitar and give classes to children in your neighborhood when you get out, learn English, literature... make use of your time.

She replied, 'What are you saying to me? I don't understand you! I don't know how to do anything. I never had the chance to study; I didn't even finish elementary school, I had to work to help with my little brothers and sisters. Since I was four years old my papá woke me up in the early morning and took me to his 'work. It was still dark and in spite of the cold I sat on the sidewalk while he went in to rob the house facing it. If anyone appeared I had to run and tell him. That's all I learned how to do...

Now she's discovered that there is much more to learn, attending the classes they give in the CERESOFE, that she has talent for playing the guitar, she learned how to read and is attending the English class.

"Don't ask me why I'm here; instead ask what my story is...."

We all deserve an opportunity.

Zindy Abreu Barón

Al penacho! a dar clases de inglés a mujeres en situación vulnerable que merecen una oportunidad. Les dejo una reflexión: Hace algún tiempo platicaba con una chica privada de su libertad que pensaba que no era buena para aprender a tocar guitarra y le decía: pues ya la regaste y estás aquí en este infierno. Aún aquí, tú puedes superarte, puedes mejorar tu vida y la de tus hijos, tener un trabajo digno cuando salgas. Termina tu primaria, (se dan clases allá) tienes inteligencia. Aprende a tocar guitarra y le das clases a los niños de tu colonia cuando salgas, aprende inglés, literatura... aprovecha tu tiempo. Y me contestó: de qué me hablas? No te entiendo! No sé hacer nada. Nunca tuve oportunidad de estudiar, ni terminé la primaria, tenía que trabajar para ayudar con mis hermanitos. Desde que tenía 4 años mi papá me despertaba en la madrugada y me llevaba a su "trabajo". Aún estaba oscuro y aunque hubiera frío me sentaba en la banqueta mientras él entraba a robar a la casa de enfrente. Si alguien aparecía yo le tenía que correr a avisar. Sólo eso aprendí a hacer... Ahora ha descubierto que hay mucho más que aprender, asistiendo a los talleres que se dan en el CERESOFE, que es buena para tocar guitarra, aprendió a leer y está asistiendo al taller de inglés. "No me preguntes porque estoy aquí, mejor pregunta, cómo fue mi historia... " Todos merecemos una oportunidad. ZAB.