Disrupting barriers through speaking out and creating movements for national change in our criminal justice system; is what Emily Baxter does with what she has learned. She has found that “one in four people in the United States has a criminal record. Four in four have a criminal history.” We discuss why that is and address the reckoning, the rumbling, and the revolution going on nationally as we become critically aware that our criminal justice system is unacceptable: #MeToo   #What’sNext    #TimesUp    #NowWhat    #MarchForOurLives    #TruthTellingWins.

A maddening and eye-opening truth: race and class have played an immeasurable role in our criminal justice system and in the creating of dichotomies between populations of people like good vs. bad, us vs. them, and who is a criminal vs. noncriminal. There are reasons why 75% of us are insulated and able to get away with a criminal act. Maybe it is luck, or race, or class, or geography, or education, or employment, or something else. Download

Listen to learn the steps you can take to claim your criminal history, cultivate mercy for the incarcerated, and decide where in the national revolution you are. Claim your place in these historic times. Awaken an aspect of race you might not have thought about by listening to our conversation, reading the books Emily recommends, and watch the documentaries I have outlined in the Mentoring Conversation Resource section below.

Take charge of your historic revolutionary journey. When you can talk about your story, you can be more receptive to hear the story of others. We are all connected. We are all in this revolutionary journey together!

Mentoring Tips

• Claim your criminal history by writing down how your life would be different if you were punished unjustly for the crimes you committed. Outline some natural consequences that could be implemented into our justice system that would replace punishment.
  • For example, if my crime was shoplifting an ice cream bar from a convenience store when I was a teenager; what would have been a natural consequence when caught? Maybe the clerk asking what prompted me to take something that wasn’t mine? Then further problem solve by asking, “If I have that desire again, what might be an alternative to stealing from someone?” One idea might be to stop and notice my feelings. Take a moment to allow the feeling to be as it is. Give the feeling as much time as it needs. Then make a decision that would strengthen my character instead of doing something that would make me feel worse.
• Shape your place in these historic times by devouring the content outlined in the Mentoring Conversation Resources. Accept the truth of what you learn.
• Ready for a Peer Mentoring Leadership Group? A new WeMentor E.L.M. LAB is starting in September. An irresistible offer awaits those who act. I will follow-up with you. Click Here.
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  • Are you snuffing out creativity and opportunities for innovation because of how you are leading? Is your business running you? Are you tired of your business? Is there a disconnect between you and those you employ? Are you recovering from a major setback and need more skills to recover and rise from the experience with greater clarity, resilience, and a new perspective? Do you want to increase your business acumen and bump up your emotional intelligence while you generate more income? Are you ready to have fun and make more money with how you are leading and mentoring others? Get started, a new LAB is forming! Call me at 612-804-8920.

Why is it that 75% of us get away with a criminal act?   Episode 131   Emily Baxter