I’ve Joined Medium
No, I’m not becoming a seance aficionado. I’ve joined the writing site called Medium.
I’m learning something new. Inspired by wonder-blogger Marie Bailey, I’ve joined Medium. But, as usual, I did things a**-backwards. I wrote a story for Medium, and I can’t figure out how to re-post it here. In the future, I’ll write here and import it to Medium. So this newness won’t affect y’all.
In the meantime, I think you can read the story on Medium for free without signing up if you follow this link. But, as I said, when I joined Medium, I’m learning something new. So if it doesn’t work, go to Medium.com and search ELLEN MORRIS PREWITT to learn how I went to jury duty believing myself a law-abiding citizen…only to discover I’m a law-breaking citizen.
Thank you so much for following me along in this journey called life. Together, we’ll make it more than medium—it will be great.
p.s. here’s a teaser photo
Jury duty in New Orleans, Louisiana mandatory sentences, mandatory life sentence without parole, New Orleans Criminal Court, Tracking Happiness
Amy
Our Court building… still beautiful architecture!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
It is stunning! They said it was modeled on a building in Paris? I don’t remember which one, maybe you know? When I would leave each day, I’d just stand there, studying it. Inside was something else, too. My neck was craned, staring at the chandeliers and wood paneling, the incredibly high ceilings. New Orleans has the buildings!
Emma Connolly
I also thank you for sticking to your principles. Definitely our prison system is broken, locking people up with no chance of rehabilitation, no matter what the LA Dept of Corrections says. For the last 15 years, Louisiana has been working to reduce its incarceration rate, currently highest in the nation per capita – 1 in 26 people are in jail or prison! In 2013, Louisiana ranked 5th nationally among states in highest violent crime rate, 3rd highest poverty rate, and 4th lowest in percentage of adults with a high school diploma. Yes, we must punish those who break the law – most especially those who commit violent crimes – but the economic burden of over 80 billion per year spent on incarceration in this country is not the solution. We all know that poverty, lack of education, mental illness, reckless gun use and breakdown of families are some of the root causes of the commission of crimes in our country. Where do we even begin?
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thank you, Emma. I didn’t know that about trying to reduce its incarceration rate–I applaud them for that. Did you know One Book One New Orleans when you were there? They see the direct link between illiteracy and the health of a city as one way to work on all the issues. I’ve been most impressed with them.
Donna Weidner
Well, you’ve certainly given me food for more thought. Thank you, Ellen!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Thank you so much for making the trek over to Medium to read Donna. (I’ve been heaving trouble getting my comments to stick on your website, but I’m so excited about your book, the news on which I somehow missed.)
Marie Bailey
Wonder-blogger? Well, that brought a smile to my face and a chuckle to my heart 🙂 Now I must go and read your Medium post!
Ellen Morris Prewitt
Oh, yes, definitely wonder-blogger. And thank you for getting me engaged on the new site. Much appreciate being sent your way.