Hello everyone,

I am seriously worried about my husband, brothers and friends at Solano. There is growing racial tension mounting between the Southern Hispanics and the African Americans on Yard One. There have been 4 attacks on the African Americans by the Southern Hispanics in the last few months. On one of the attacks it was approximately 18 older African Americans jumped by about 60 Southern Hispanics. A couple of the African Americans were cut about the face and neck pretty bad. At present the African Americans are out on Tuesday and Thursday and the Southern HIspanics are out on Monday and Wednesday and then there are all locked up on Friday, Saturday and Sunday except if they have visits and then they are allowed to visit.

From my understanding the Warden stepped in and wanted both sides to talk. The Group Leaders went back and spoke to both sides. The African Americans were refusing to come to the table for these talks. (And rightly so -- how can you sit at the table for talks to resolve the on going problem with those who are attacking you) For those of you who have loved ones and friends on yard one can you tell me when the insane madness ends?? Is there a method to this madness?? I know there is more to this than I maybe getting -- but I am just curious as to how some of the rest of you are handling and dealing with this. I will cut it short and give those of you who wish to respond a chance to do so.

I am at wits end and I constantly worry about my husband. I want to and plan to visit next weekend if they are not on lockdown. My husband writes me damn near every day and I write him in return. When they are on lockdown this is the only form of communication we have. Sometimes I think that I am losing my mind. Can any of you tell me how you are handling all of this. When the phone rings and the called ID says ID restricted I get worried worndering if it is my husband or the prison calling me with bad news. I jump with nervous excitment and anticipation. At times I think that I am about to lose it.

I have the support of both of our families and friends -- but still I am on the edge tetering back and forth and about to fall off. Any comments would be much appreciated.

Sassy7

That is a total nightmare to live with. I feel so bad for you. No one should have to live like that, whether inside or out. This racism is helping no one except the prison system. it keeps people who are natural allies divided. I think it's horrible. I wish you my best.

Valentina, thanks for your comments. I just don't understand why the prison system keeps this madness going on. Some one once told me this is what the systems calls job security. I just don't get it.

I think it is job security and also prison industrial complex security, because remember Attica? That huge rebellion took place among all races demanding better conditions. They never want to see unity like that again! I forget the name of this play....Lysistrata! It is a Greek play about the women having a strike by refusing to do sex until the men stop going to war. Well, the sex thing wouldn't really work for us...but all the wives and girlfriends could refuse to visit until they stopped the gangbanging!