What's Happening Texas Death Row Newsletter, Issue #1
Dublin Core
Title
What's Happening Texas Death Row Newsletter, Issue #1
Subject
Death row community
Death row inmates
Anti-death row movement
Prisoners as journalists
Prison Literature
Death row inmates
Anti-death row movement
Prisoners as journalists
Prison Literature
Description
This is the first edition of the newsletter. Since this is the first issue, there is a lot of preliminary information about the newsletter and how it will operate. The Coordinator for this issue is Gary "T" Graham. Article titles and a short synopsis of the articles in the newsletter are listed below.
Introduction
The first article discusses the creation of the newsletter and some general information about its operation. The newsletter is produced by the Endeavor Project, which at the time of publication, Gary "T" Graham serves as its Director. The newsletter is intended to share "news and information which might be helpful or enlightening to members of our Death Row Community." The newsletter plans on publishing on a monthly basis, and will not be published outside of the prison. The article also includes an ad for the Coordinator position and appeals that all members of the death row community can submit their work to the newsletter. A few other Texas death row projects are mentioned by name, including Visions of Justice, Lamp of Hope, and It's Your Choice.
Cool Breeze
This article discusses the uncomfortable conditions within the prison and a recent event where the thermometer reached the 100-degree mark within the prison walls. Many inmates were unable to purchase a fan to keep cool in the heat, and as a result, Bishop Joseph A. Florenza purchased and donated some portable fans to inmates unable to purchase their own. The article lists the inmates who received the donated fan.
Pacifica Radio, K.P.F.T. 90.1 FM, Houston
This article reports on two local radio stations that air every Sunday, and that discuss topics related to prisons and the Ellis Correctional Unit. "The Prison Show" holds conversations related to prison reform, and allows inmate family members to call into the show and greet their loved ones on air. Radioshow "From the Frontline" is hosted by Reverend Jeu Don Boney, where he gives an Afro-Centric perspective on social, political, and economic topics.
Desperately Needed: Translators
This is an ad for bilingual inmates to translate the future issues of the newsletter into Spanish.
We're all in the Same BOAT!!
This article was written by Joseph B. Nicholas-Bey. He mentions another "base of resistance" that is being created: The Lamp of Hope Project. Nicholas-Bey writes that he does not wish to see the two projects fight and oppose each other. He states that while the two projects work separately, they have the same goal of community unification in support of opposing capital punishment.
Death Row Facts and Figures
This issue includes some information about the death row population size at the time of publication and the number of "legalized murders committed by the state".
I'm Mad as Hell, and I'm Not Going to Take it Anymore
This article was written by Jose E. De La Cruz. He discusses the reoccurring mechanical issues he has experienced with his typewriter, and how it seems to be unfixable. De La Cruz claims that commissary is selling faulty products as "first-class prices". He mentions that he will be opening up a lawsuit against commissary, and asks other inmates to send him letters about their experiences with faulty products.
Introduction
The first article discusses the creation of the newsletter and some general information about its operation. The newsletter is produced by the Endeavor Project, which at the time of publication, Gary "T" Graham serves as its Director. The newsletter is intended to share "news and information which might be helpful or enlightening to members of our Death Row Community." The newsletter plans on publishing on a monthly basis, and will not be published outside of the prison. The article also includes an ad for the Coordinator position and appeals that all members of the death row community can submit their work to the newsletter. A few other Texas death row projects are mentioned by name, including Visions of Justice, Lamp of Hope, and It's Your Choice.
Cool Breeze
This article discusses the uncomfortable conditions within the prison and a recent event where the thermometer reached the 100-degree mark within the prison walls. Many inmates were unable to purchase a fan to keep cool in the heat, and as a result, Bishop Joseph A. Florenza purchased and donated some portable fans to inmates unable to purchase their own. The article lists the inmates who received the donated fan.
Pacifica Radio, K.P.F.T. 90.1 FM, Houston
This article reports on two local radio stations that air every Sunday, and that discuss topics related to prisons and the Ellis Correctional Unit. "The Prison Show" holds conversations related to prison reform, and allows inmate family members to call into the show and greet their loved ones on air. Radioshow "From the Frontline" is hosted by Reverend Jeu Don Boney, where he gives an Afro-Centric perspective on social, political, and economic topics.
Desperately Needed: Translators
This is an ad for bilingual inmates to translate the future issues of the newsletter into Spanish.
We're all in the Same BOAT!!
This article was written by Joseph B. Nicholas-Bey. He mentions another "base of resistance" that is being created: The Lamp of Hope Project. Nicholas-Bey writes that he does not wish to see the two projects fight and oppose each other. He states that while the two projects work separately, they have the same goal of community unification in support of opposing capital punishment.
Death Row Facts and Figures
This issue includes some information about the death row population size at the time of publication and the number of "legalized murders committed by the state".
I'm Mad as Hell, and I'm Not Going to Take it Anymore
This article was written by Jose E. De La Cruz. He discusses the reoccurring mechanical issues he has experienced with his typewriter, and how it seems to be unfixable. De La Cruz claims that commissary is selling faulty products as "first-class prices". He mentions that he will be opening up a lawsuit against commissary, and asks other inmates to send him letters about their experiences with faulty products.
Creator
What's Happening newsletter staff
Source
Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
Publisher
Endeavor Project
Date
October 1991
Contributor
Gary "T" Graham (Shaka Sankofa)
Joseph B. Nicholas-Bey
Jose. E. De La Cruz
Joseph B. Nicholas-Bey
Jose. E. De La Cruz
Rights
This material is made available for education and research purposes only. The creator of this exhibit does not own the rights for these items; it cannot grant or deny permission to use this material. Copyright law protects unpublished as well as published materials. It is your responsibility to determine the rights status and secure whatever permission may be needed for the use of any item. Due to the nature of archival collections, rights information may be incomplete or out of date. We welcome updates or corrections. Upon request, we'll remove material from public view while we address a rights issue.
Relation
Texas Death Row Collection- Endeavor Folder
Language
English
Type
Newsletter
Coverage
Ellis Correctional Unit, Huntsville, Texas
Citation
What's Happening newsletter staff, “What's Happening Texas Death Row Newsletter, Issue #1,” Hidden Histories UT-Austin, accessed October 31, 2024, https://hiddenhistoriesut.org/items/show/209.
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