For the Least of These

Reflections of a Prison Librarian

The title of this book is taken from the Holy Bible, St. Matthew 25th Chapter, and much like the title, the manuscript has two sections.

The first section consists of the author’s experiences as a Law Librarian in a correctional setting, narrated from a Christian perspective. The book covers the range of human emotions, triumph, defeat, hurt, pain, and bitter disappointment. 

This section entertains the reader with anecdotes about prison life and, in some cases, the circumstances leading to incarceration. This part falls within the literary genre known as ‘Street Fiction.’ Such narratives originate in an urban setting where the characters contend with life’s bleak cultural, social, and economic realities. It contains amusing stories, such as the library worker with the invisible dog, and the clerk from Outer Space. This section also has gritty stories such as “Born under a Bad Sign,” and “Baby, Where Did Our Love Go,” thus covering both the comical and less amusing aspects of life behind bars.

The second part of the manuscript considers the fact that the percentage of incarcerated black and brown men of color far exceeds their numbers in our society. It explores possible reasons for this trend and the factors used by “those in power” in assigning value to the different groups, thus justifying the incarceration of those deemed less valuable. The second section also examines the Christian Church’s historical role in assessing more valuation to one group and less to another.

The book examines the connection between the Church’s creation and support of the “Doctrine of Discovery” and the current lack of support for the “Black Lives Matter” movement” by many who identify as “Evangelicals.” Many members of this group appear unable to state the phase (perhaps because they do not believe it to be true) and instead say “All Lives Matter.” If a person honestly believes ‘all lives matter’, (which would include black lives) then they should be able to state without hesitation ‘Black Lives Matter’.  They could even say, “of course Black lives matter, all lives matter”  But for various reasons however., many are unable to do so. Various historical periods are examined to determine (without success) the exact point in history when all lives equally mattered.

The author’s goal in writing this book is to issue a ‘Wake up’ call to my fellow members of the Faith Community for the need to carefully examine and comply with the words of Christ in the Bible’s 25th Chapter of the Book of St. Matthews concerning “The Least of These.”