Was at Coffee Bean having tea with my sisters, nieces and mum when an uncle came up to our table selling keychains. He was heavily tattooed all the way from the neck down. We initially didn't want to buy (as usual to all touting) but he went on to ask for help as he was released from prison and he couldn't find other employment, so he had a pass (which he showed to us) from the government which allows him to sell those keychains. In the end my mum bought one and he was very grateful saying god bless you and all that.
I would have bought another if I had the cash with me. Simply because there are just so many things in life that you are helpless about, and if there's a chance for you to make a little difference, no matter how minor, in other's, you would take it. I think it's...sad? I mean, I have no idea what crimes he or the many others committed that sent them to jail, I have no idea whether they are truly repentent or not, but still. You came out of prison at an age past your prime, you have a criminal record, you practically have 'danger' branded all over you, and yet right at this moment you may have really wanted to turn over a new leaf, have a new life, but couldn't. Because you can't get a job. You couldn't even really assimilate back to society. You are judged and stereotyped before people even talk to you.
I mean, I'm not a saint or anything, believing that there's good in all men blahblah, or that I'm free of prejudices and stereotyping. I do get uncomfortable at the sight of all those tattoos, and I'm skeptical about the usefulness of prison. But. Still.
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