Michael Ross is an Austin-based gardener, bike maven, and self-described “outdoorsman.” He discusses his upbringing in New York and Atlanta, the events that led him to Texas, and his experiences with racism, incarceration, and homelessness.
Activism and Advocacy, Police Violence, Surviving Violence
Summary
Liz Gonzales recounts the story of what happened the night when her son was killed, the ongoing journey of grieving and healing, and how she is turning her emotional pain into organizing in her community, and fighting for a better world.
Stacy Bowen shares her perspective on growing up with a parent who was incarcerated, her experience of witnessing her children being incarcerated, and the effects of generational incarceration.
Devan Harral talks about her experience with incarceration as a youth and battling substance addiction. Devan also talks about raising her child alone due to the other parent being incarcerated.
Hayley Pokorski discusses both her family’s and her own relationship with mass incarceration and state violence and describes how the system perpetuates harm and trauma.
Mass Incarceration, US Criminal Legal System, Surviving Violence
Summary
Shawnee Ray discusses the struggles her family faced when her daughter was incarcerated, and how her perception of the criminal justice system has changed since.
Activism and Advocacy, Mass Incarceration, Surviving Violence
Summary
Maggie Luna discusses her 20 years spent overcoming a drug addiction, her experience with incarceration, and her path to regaining the rights to her child.
Vickie Kerr (Roberts) is the mother of two formerly incarcerated daughters. Vickie describes the parental role she played in the lives of her grandchildren and how she took care of herself and her family during her daughters’ sentences.
