On Friday the 13th I went, but before arriving I prayed for guidance and that the words I speak would penetrate the hearts and minds of the youths. When I reached the area where they were, I saw that there were nine of them there, and not the usual eleven or more; which could mean that the others had either gone home or maybe sentenced to a prison for youth males. The one thing that anyone who goes to the youth detention center cannot help but notice is that a majority of the youths there are black. This time they were all black. The youngest boy was thirteen, and the oldest was sixteen years of age.
I opened up by saying, “Some of you are on your way to an adult prison!” Because you are so caught up in the “right now”, and it is the “right now thinking” that got you where are you are right now.” As a matter of fact why don’t you just tell the judge to go ahead and sentence you to an adult prison, so as to not waste any more money or time with bringing you back and forth here?”
Stop! Now I know some of you who are reading this are saying that I was being very harsh. Let me ask you a question. Have you ever gotten involved in prison ministry? If you haven’t yet, then how would you really know if what I said was truly harsh? One of the things that bother me in my spirit is seeing these kids locked up; yes of course they’ve made some unwise decisions. Do not think for one moment that I am saying that they shouldn’t be there. They too have to abide by the laws. You see it seemed that I was being harsh, but in fact I was upset, not at the youth, but with the fact of seeing so many young black males.
Here is what I said to them. “On the other hand you don’t have to be here. You don’t have to come back here. You don’t have to years from go to an adult prison. But something is required of you. You have to become a new man, get a new mind, and with that gain a new attitude.” “If you don’t change right now, then you are guaranteeing a return back here.” The guard that was there said, “recidivism” and the youth repeated him saying “recidivism.” I said, ‘yes that is right, because some of you already have been here more than once. And you know what I am saying about being a new man, with a new mind.” If you had become a new man the last time, then your chance of coming back would have been very slim.”
I went on to explain that that being a new man is based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”I told them that the new man is one who has given control of his life to Christ by way of repentance and saying to Him, I repent of my sins, forgive me and give me a new life.” It is not the traditional way of repentance, but I want to meet the youth right where they were. Then I proceeded to tell them that a truly new mind is gained through being a new man, and by replacing all the current thoughts and way of doing things with the word of God, and His way of doing things. His attitude through the word of God changes, and he begins to model his life after Christ, which is demonstrated through the Bible. Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
“You cannot change for anyone but yourself. You can’t say, I’m going to give my life to Christ for my momma, or for my daddy, it has to be done for yourself, because it is you who is living the life of a new man. Of course your parents would be happy for you. But the decision is between you and God.”
I told the youth; look at where you are right now. Humor me for a moment and try and look at where you want to be five years from now. One of the youth raised his hand, “I want to go to college.” And another one said, “I want to have a good job to help my momma.” And yet another of the youths said, I don’t want to come back nor go to an adult prison.
The estimated population of South Dakota is 824.000. There are currently over 840.000 black men who are in prison, state and federal prisons. The black community is faced with a serious epidemic, that if it is not addressed with some positive outcomes, more black men will go to prison. That means each of those black men, once they return to society, will not be able to vote. They will not be able to legally own a gun. They will not be able to obtain a passport. They will not be able to gain employment in certain industries or agencies They will not be able to apply for loan to help start a business. If any of them have a drug offense, that drug offender will not be able to apply for a Pell grant to go to college, and if he does obtain funding someplace else for college, the college or university is more likely to deny the applicant. Black people make up 13% of the U.S. population(http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-06.pdf), and yet some 40% percent of us are are being sent to prison.
I stopped talking for a moment and looked into the eyes of each teen. “Young fellows, there is a future waiting for you to be a part of in a positive way. In closing I said to the youth, “I want to pray for each of you to become a new man, to get a new mind, and gain a new attitude.”
