This is the final episode in a 10-part series inspired by the men Allison Langer taught memoir writing, in a men’s prison. This series shared stories written by Allison’s former memoir students as well as formerly incarcerated and currently incarcerated people from around the United States. Their experiences and voices, like those of many incarcerated people, are often marginalized and unheard.
On today’s episode, you will hear a story by Richardson Francois aka Swa, who Allison confesses was one of her favorite students. Swa will read his story, The Hate Hate Creates. Hate, Swa argues, is a sickness. Xaire agrees with Swa who says the easiest and hardest way to eradicate hate is to eradicate hate from the self.
Hosts will also discuss the impact of this series on them. We hope our listeners have taken away at least a part of what we’ve learned. Mainly, that sharing our stories is the best way to understand ourselves and each other and ultimately change the world for the better.
Please join our GoFundMe campaign to raise money for 2-Tall (Clifton Jones), whose story and voice you heard on episode 116. He needs our help to hire an appellate lawyer to get the justice he was promised and deserves.
Writing Class Radio is produced by Allison Langer, Andrea Askowitz, Xaire, and by Matt Cundill, Evan Surminski and Courtney Fox at the Sound Off Media Company. Music by Xaire, Marnino Toussaint and Amadians.
There’s more writing class on our website, writingclassradio.com including video classes, essays to study, and editing resources.
If you love the lessons you get on each episode, you can get them ALL in one place--our three-part video series--for $50. Click Video Classes on our website.
If you want to be a part of the movement that helps people better understand each other through storytelling, follow us on Patreon. For $10/month Andrea will answer all your publishing questions. For $25/month you can join Allison’s First Draft weekly writer's group Tuesdays (12-1 ET) or Zorina Frey’s 1st Draft Wednesdays (6-7pm ET), where you can write and share your work. www.Patreon.com/writingclassradio.
A new episode will drop every other WEDNESDAY. So look for us.
There’s no better way to understand ourselves and each other, than by writing and sharing our stories. Everyone has a story. What’s yours?
This series is dedicated to Luis Aracena. You are missed and loved. May you rest in peace.