Recent Reflections from Jail
Reflection of Lauren Handy, PAAU Director of Activism, on thankfulness after her 30th birthday:
My 30th birthday is one worth remembering. Being surrounded by new friends and receiving messages from my community on the outside was life giving in many ways. I spent today reading Paradise by Toni Morrison and checking my messages for updates on what my dearest friends and comrades were doing on the outside to celebrate in solidarity. In jails and prisons we often see manufactured scarcity when it comes to food. So when others share and celebrate it means more than just $1 chips on the outside. Genuine friendships are formed over the breaking of bread. I miss my friends and family dearly but I am using my time here to advancing the mission of loving the unwanted, unloved and unborn. We don't have to become byproducts of death making institutions. In my almost 3 months gone my ability to abide with others vastly different than me has grown and shaped me in ways that only leaves me thankful. Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes and acts of solidarity. Abolition can't wait. Preborn justice NOW!
As we enter into this holiday season, PAAU staff and team come from many backgrounds and traditions but what brings us together is our attitude of gratefulness. Here is a reflection from PAAU incarcerated board member Herb Geraghty on thankfulness and community:
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates =)
So far all morning and afternoon, the jail has been on "lockdown" meaning we're isolated in our cells. Spending the holidays behind bars is obviously not as enjoyable as spending them with my loved ones, but even in jail I can't help but appreciate the privileges I hold and be grateful for the support I have found in community both at home and in here. I'll be honest, the first hour or so of the day I spent sulking upset upset that despite the holiday it seems like we're going to have another all-day lockdown, but to lift my spirits I decided I would write down a short joy inventory and share some of the things and people I'm thankful for with all of you.
I'm thankful for my fiancée, Kaine, who has been my number one supporter both before and throughout this incarceration. I'm thankful for everyone who has sent me e-messages, mail, and donations to my commissary and legal support fundraiser at https://givesendgo.com/herb. I'm thankful for my friends and colleagues at PAAU, Rainbow Pro-life, and Rehumanize International who are continuing the good work in my absence.
I'm thankful for the Alexandria Jail's librarian who has kept me stocked with books which helped maintain my sanity during all-day lockdowns. If you'd like to follow along with what I'm reading, you can check out my Goodreads account here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/169845705-herb-geraghty.
I'm thankful for the vegan options available on the commissary list which have helped keep me fed, because the jail does not accommodate diets that reject violence and exploitation. In particular, I'm grateful for Oreos, "The Whole Shabang" potato chips, and spicy hot pickles. I'm thankful for the community I have in here among my fellow inmates. In particular, I'm grateful for a new friend who has been my workout buddy five days a week who is helping me work off all those Oreos and potato chips. I'm also grateful for the friends who have taught me how to play more card games than I knew existed. I'm thankful that I get to see my co-defendants when we all sign up for weekly church services. I'm thankful that most weeks, if we're not locked down, my unit-mates indulge me and let me play the Food Network's holiday baking shows on one of the shared TVs in the day room.
I'm thankful for my attorney, John, and each of my co-defendants' lawyers who have been working to get us out and preparing to appeal our case. I'm thankful for those among my friends and family who may strongly disagree with my beliefs but are still showing support and love to me during this time. I'm thankful for my sister who has been tirelessly sending me pictures of her dog, Vampire Bill, and using the videogram feature to send me silly tiktoks which always brighten my day.
I'm thankful for everyone who has been advocating for us and for unborn babies, especially those working tirelessly to #RepealFACE. I'm thankful for my friends back in Pittsburgh who haven't taken a break from being outside the abortion facilities there and for sidewalk counselors across the country offering hope and help to people entering killing centers in their communities. Finally, I'm thankful for my health and my life, which I don't think I always appreciate as much as I should.
Thanks for reading. I hope however you spend your day, it is filled with love.
-HG 11.23.2023