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The artwork displayed here was created and submitted by participants of the Incarcerated Scholars Conference. We are honored to share these creative works publicly to celebrate the talent, voice, and vision of the artists.

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Incarcerated Scholars Conference Art Gallery 2024

Fool's Gold

Isaiah McDonald

Knox College Prison Education Program, student

Illinois

They taught us how to hustle, but failed to give us the vision
They told us that the streets were the way, but didn’t inform us of the ending.
Only a few heroes make it out,
Fighting against odds that’s horrendous
Jail/Robbers, even traitorous women;
Your own homies plot against you
That pressure is relentless.

I had an associate that was rich once,
Then I slowly saw his riches fade,
That person you see in the sunlight,
Was a monster when you see him in the shade,
Caught a habit at the table and his ambition got diverted,
The tale of a hustle with a habit,
Another dope fiend converted.

Summer times in the city are often frigid,
How the day began don’t always end how one would depict it
Tears ran down the cheeks of a mother whose foundation has been shaken,
The news read…another tragedy in the City,
A young innocent life has been taken
Word on the street spread different
They labeled him guilty by association.
A week prior he was spotted with the wrong crowd,
And his death was retaliation
Just another black soul trapped in the cycle of extermination.

Artist Statement

My name is Isaiah McDonald. I’ve been incarcerated for the past 20 plus years. My love for writing poetry stems from being in confinement for long periods of time. I wrote my first poem and been writing ever since. Thru writing I’ve been able to free my mind and heal parts of me that was once broken. Through a lack of love I have found something that I love to do. I hope to inspire and heal others through my writing and spoken word.

If you are the artist of an artwork featured in this gallery and want it removed, please reach out to alliance@higheredinprison.org

Welcome to the ISC Art Gallery!

To view the gallery, please read:

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Fool's Gold

Fool's Gold

Isaiah McDonald

Knox College Prison Education Program, student

Illinois

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