What No One Tells you about Children with imprisoned parents..
I recently had the honor of sitting down with a good friend of mine, award winning documentary film maker Julian Kane , it was an early afternoon when he politely asked me to share about my life on his podcast. The Julian Kane Audio Experience, specifically he wanted to know what it was like growing up with a parent in prison.
I first met Julian in 2009 , we were both freshmen at Texas Southern University, located in the heart of Houston Texas, where i studied literature, and Julian was beginning a new career in film making, we were nothing but dreamers with big eyes and open to a world of possibilities.
Over the years Julian and I were able to form an amazing friendship. It was one of those hard won relationships, mostly do to my debilitatingly shy nature (perhaps you will get a chance to ask him how I would literally hide when he tried to say hello.)
Yet, I have come to see him as a bit of a guardian angel. Cross culturally an angel is recognized as a messenger. and one who acts as a guardian of humans, a physical reminder of god’s presence.If you ever have the pleasure of meeting this man, his unbending kindness, gracious spirit, wisdom and consideration will be enough to convince you of the same.
So, I was honored when Julian chose me for the fourth installment of his podcast, where he hosts conversations for people who like to feed their curiosity about inspiring individuals and cultures . It is Kane’s belief that we can learn a lot from the human experience if we just open up and listen.
When i first revealed that my dad was in prison for the majority of my life Kane was surprised. After all, i am nothing like the at risk youth stories that the media pushes out regularly. I graduated college, I avoided teenage rebellion, I never joined a gang, i appear to be functioning relatively fine in the midst of a global pandemic.
So what gives, is the impact of a single parent household all that bad. And is it possible to maintain a positive relationship with your family when they cannot be physically present?
In the episode I discuss all this and how growing Up with a father In prison inspired my writing, my personal and professional aspirations, and how I handle rejection in the Industry.
