I Am Finally Free/My Voice Instead of Violence

Unto this world I was born 

Innocent before shapes, sounds, scents, and even perceptions  

"Unto this world I was born

taught obedience over motivation

Unto this world I was born  

scarred by trauma and no healing  

Unto this world I was born  

wrecking and destroying  

Unto this world I was born  

saddened and broken

 Unto this world I was born  

remorseful and hopeful 

Unto this world I was born 

grateful and selfless  

Now, unto this world, I AM FINALLY ME! "

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My name is Timmy L. Walker Jr.

Currently I am serving a 50 to life sentence for felony murder with thirty years left. So, what have I done for the last twenty years?

In no particular order, I reflected on the effects of trauma, sobriety, healing, education, spirituality, forgiveness, love, life, goals, and most importantly, accountability.

For the last sixteen years I have remained steadfast as a mentor, peer counselor, actor (Rehabilitation Through the Arts), a mental health assistant, college student, and an advocate for change. Despite my ongoing commitment for actual freedom, who I am today would not be possible without being honest.

So, when the idea "If I knew then what I know now" was posed to me, it reminded of a line from Shakespeare's Macbeth, "To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus...". Looking back, I realize my life required healing, and I needed to stop being unsafe. I needed to be mature. In my youthful immaturity, I used to turn to violence to deal with my problems.

Today, my mantra is now: "My voice instead of violence".