Notes

What We’re Reading
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This week, I’ve been reading about second chances. As a student of history, and a former high school social studies teacher, I can’t resist the opportunity to put things into historical context. This is a time that is ripe to call upon the lessons of those who came before us. I’m also a dad, a husband, a former teacher and principal, and an avid reader, which is why I was grateful for the opportunity to curate this week’s “What We’re Reading Today” column for Bright.
What came to mind first was a quote from President Obama when he visited a prison in Oklahoma this summer, the first time a sitting president took that step: “At its heart, America is a nation of second chances.” His words resonate with me, and the pieces I’m reading this week carry the same spirit.
Today, I am joining Boston Mayor Marty Walsh at a roundtable discussion about second chances to learn about a program he started early in his administration to provide job training, apprenticeships and internships to young men and women who have been incarcerated or involved with the criminal justice system. I’m eager to hear their stories — stories that I expect will be similar to so many I’ve been reading and hearing recently. These young men and women, like all of us, should have another opportunity to get it right, and communities are stronger when we believe in second chances — not to mention stronger first chances.
A new report found that more than 5 million children in this country have had at least one of their parents in prison during their lives. It’s a striking number. As I read it, I was reminded of how we owe it to these children, their parents, and our communities to help people reenter society with the strongest chances for success. And we owe it to ourselves to think about how so many of our young people find themselves in these circumstances in the first place and what we can do to change that reality.
So, here is what I am reading and thinking about today.
City Program Gives Job Opportunities to Those Needing a Second Chance By Laura Crimaldi in the Boston Globe
This piece shares more about Operation Exit and why programs like this matter.
The Black Family in the Age of Mass Incarceration By Ta-Nehisi Coates in The Atlantic
This is a powerful history of mass incarceration in the United States. This week, Coates received the National Book Award. You can understand why when you read this piece.
Investing in Teachers Instead of Prisons By Arne Duncan
Last month, Duncan outlined bold ideas in a speech at the Press Club in Washington DC and challenged us to think about making first chances as strong as they could and should be.
The New Jim Crow By Michelle Alexander
This book is a thoughtful in-depth look at the evolution of criminal justice policy and the history of race in America.
A Matter of Black Lives By Jeffrey Goldberg in The Atlantic
This is a moving account of the sad complexities behind mistakes those in prison have made and New Orleans’ Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s hope for a better future.
The President Speaks on the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Video from the The White House
It’s more of a watch than a read, but you should watch this video of the president’s commitment to second chances.
To Cut Crime, Turn Jailbirds Into Bookworms: Loretta Lynch and Arne Duncan By Arne Duncan and Loretta Lynch in USA Today
This outlines our plan for Second Chance Pell. If you haven’t heard about it before, take a read and let me know what you think. We are very proud of this work and hopeful for what is to come.
Thanks for reading,
John King, Delegated Deputy Secretary of Education

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