Ear Hustle – Episode: "A Little Streets, a Little Romance, a Little Deception"

Release Date: September 18, 2024

Hosts: Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods
Produced by: Ear Hustle & Radiotopia

1. Introduction: Engaging the Audience for Future Stories

The episode opens with Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods discussing their excitement for the upcoming season. They reveal a new twist to their storytelling approach, inviting listeners to contribute story ideas that could shape future episodes.

Earlonne Woods [00:00]: "We are cooking up something really fun for next season, and we need your help."

Nigel Poor [00:32]: "Is there a story you've always wanted to hear on Ear Hustle? A topic you wished one of us would explore? Well, here's your chance to shape an upcoming episode."

Listeners are encouraged to email their ideas by January 15th, with the opportunity to participate as a co-host in recording sessions.

2. The Significance of Reading in Prison

Nigel and Earlonne delve into the pivotal role that books play in the lives of incarcerated individuals. They emphasize how reading offers an escape, mental stimulation, and a way to cope with the confined and often chaotic environment of prison life.

Earlonne Woods [00:28]: "This season, we're adding a twist, and that's where you come in."

Nigel Poor [03:32]: "Books take you out of the present moment. They really let you travel out of your present experience."

The hosts highlight that despite advancements like TVs, radios, and tablets, books remain a fundamental source of solace and education within prisons.

3. Shaka's Journey on Death Row

One of the episode's focal points is Shaka, who spent over four decades on death row at San Quentin. His narrative provides a deep dive into how reading influenced his state of mind and perception of the world.

Key Points:

• Isolation and Resistance: Shaka discusses the challenges of being housed with individuals he harbored negative thoughts about.

Shaka [02:10]: "Some people shouldn't be allowed to walk around in society. ... the cage is definitely the answer."

• Books as Salvation: He recounts how books became his refuge, helping elevate his mental state amidst confinement.

Shaka [05:29]: "New Dimension in African History helped me in my journey and search for my religious beliefs. It just captivated my attention."

• Impactful Reads: Shaka reflects on his first book, The Bitch, a gritty urban novel that captured his attention and set the stage for his extensive reading journey.

Shaka [05:29]: "The Bitch, that was the first book I read."

4. Elisa's Role as a Prison Librarian

Elisa, the library coordinator at the California Institution for Women in Chino, shares her passion for reading and her efforts to create a vibrant lending library focused on urban fiction.

Highlights:

• Extensive Reading: Elisa boasts an impressive reading record, having devoured over 80 books in three years.

Elisa [11:46]: "I have at least 80 books that I've read in, I want to say, three years."

• Curating Urban Fiction: She emphasizes the popularity of urban novels among incarcerated women, noting their themes of struggle, resilience, and street life.

Elisa [14:18]: "Pretty much all of the books in her lending library are urban fiction books."

• Interactive Library Space: Elisa describes her library space adorned with handmade paper butterflies, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere for fellow inmates.

Elisa [13:38]: "This is where my piece is, you know, this is where. This is my safe haven."

5. Tommy's Engagement with Literature

Tommy, an inmate at Crossroad Juvenile Center in Brooklyn, discusses his relationship with books, particularly urban fiction and the controversial Fifty Shades of Grey series.

Key Insights:

• Favorite Reads: Tommy is engrossed in War by T. Stiles and Fifty Shades of Grey, appreciating the suspense and complexity of these narratives.

Tommy [22:09]: "It's a very, very weird book. ... Nothing but the book. I don't give a about nothing else but this book."

• Reading as Coping: Through literature, Tommy finds a means to occupy his time and escape the monotony of confinement.

Tommy [21:36]: "I could just sing songs as if I'm on the radio. Just hear it so I could hear it in my head."

• Mixed Reactions to Content: He critiques Fifty Shades of Grey for its excessive sexual content, while recognizing its popularity within the prison.

Tommy [51:54]: "There's a lot of sex scenes in that book. Like, it's over extensive, like, for no reason."

6. Claudia's Transformation Through Reading

Claudia shares a poignant account of how a single book, Enemies by Hakeem Abuti, catalyzed her personal transformation, steering her away from a path of violence and towards self-improvement and intellectual growth.

Transformation Highlights:

• Breaking Away from Gang Culture: Initially intent on getting gang-related tattoos to signify her disdain for society, Claudia's perspective shifts dramatically after engaging with Enemies.

Claudia [42:32]: "Love the world, I go opposite."

• Intellectual Awakening: The book opened her eyes to broader societal issues, fostering a newfound appreciation for black history, philosophy, and self-love.

Claudia [46:15]: "Books just opened me up to another world. It was just like, wow. There's a lot that's going on with the human being, right. That we don't know."

• Spiritual and Personal Growth: Claudia credits not only the book but also divine intervention and supportive individuals for her profound change.

Claudia [48:42]: "So everybody played their part, first and foremost. God intervened."

7. Library Requests Across Various Prisons

The episode features a compilation of library staff from different correctional facilities sharing the most requested and popular books among inmates. This segment underscores the diversity of reading preferences and the universal need for literature as a source of comfort and knowledge.

Notable Requests:

• Fantasy and Urban Fiction: Titles like Naruto, Shogun by James Clavell, and The Red Rising series by Pierce Brown are highly sought after.

• Self-Help and Legal Guides: Inmates express interest in books like the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, We the People Legal Primer, and entrepreneurship guides.

• Graphic Novels and Classics: Graphic novels, The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, and other classics are also in high demand.

Claudia [35:34]: "Shogun by James Clavell, Santaram by Gregory David Roberts, Swan song by Robert McCammon, and the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown."

8. Conclusion: The Multifaceted Role of Reading in Prison

Nigel and Earlonne wrap up the episode by reflecting on the varied reading materials enjoyed by inmates, from gritty urban novels to philosophical texts and romantic series. They emphasize that books serve multiple purposes—entertainment, escape, education, and catalysts for personal growth.

Earlonne Woods [53:03]: "It's an escape. ... People in prison are reading all kinds of stuff, right? The good, the bad, the high, the low."

Nigel Poor [53:36]: "That's a great note to go out on."

The episode concludes with a reminder of the enduring importance of books in creating meaningful and transformative experiences within the prison environment.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Shaka on Society Separation [02:32]: "Some people shouldn't be allowed to walk around in society. ... the cage is definitely the answer."

• Claudia on Book Transformation [42:32]: "Love the world, I go opposite."

• Earlonne on Reading Impact [53:03]: "It's an escape."

For more insights and stories from within the prison system, visit earhustlesq.com and follow Ear Hustle on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @EarhustleSQ.