Table Of Contents Ask Natural Woman ..... 5 Alkaline your Holiday.... 8 Natural Women Everyday.... 12 Cover Story with Mike McMillan...15 Say No to the Super Woman....20 Law of Attraction 101.....22 Creating a Sacred Space....24 Cardi B’s secret to success: Vision Boards..26 Mass Incarceration in America.....38
Our Team Azizah Nubia Editor in chief
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Can you believe we only have a few more weeks left in 2018? This year has gone by so fast it feels like yesterday that NWM decided to create our first Beard Gang issue back in 2017. Now we are here in 2018 and we are bringing you an exclusive with the man behind the Beard Game Matters movement see page 17. In addition to this issue we are giving our readers some bonus material, we have profiled 50 men who we have crowned as the sexiest beard men for 2018 and Guarantee ladies you will enjoy this. Do not let all of the sexiness in this issue distract you from some of the essential information NWM always brings. In this issue we stressed the importance for us as a community to upgrade our holiday food recipes with foods that create life in our bodies and not death. We have officially entered into the holiday season, the season where people are more generous, we eat more food, and we are way sicker during this time of year than any other. Our food choices play a huge role in our health and our traditional foods of turkey, ham, dressing, mac and cheese, although very delicious they do not do our bodies much good especially if we are consuming them throughout the winter. NWM wants us all to be healthy we want you to enjoy this season, but we also want your body to enjoy it too. Thank you for reading and supporting the Natural Woman Brand.
Azizah Nubia
How To Eat Alkaline During The Holidays Traditional Holiday foods are filled with lots of sodium, starches, sugars, and many more unhealthy ingredient. Every year we spend the months of November and December filling up on turkey, dressing, gravy, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, and greens soaked in some kind of meat. And if you are like most black families there an assortment of pork dishes that include ham, pig feet,chitterlings and hog mawls. We load up on these starch and flesh filled foods until our stomachs burst and the only relief is if we fall asleep, to only wake up and do it again. Our current state of health as a nation should be a clear indication that our choice of foods need to be re-examined especially during the holiday season when the weather is cold and illness is high. The foods we eat should be our first point of defense when it comes to protecting our bodies and keeping our immune system strong. It has been scientifically proven that disease cannot live in an alkaline environment and if we are able to keep our bodies alkaline we can prevent illness. So would it make since to keep a alkaline diet during the months that we can be most prone to illness instead of feasting on dishes that are guaranteed to slow you down? NWM has took the time to search for some alkaline food recipes that you can begin to incorporate with your holiday meals and we hope this will be the beginning to you of a new era in our journey to eating better and living longer.
Grilled courgette salad Ingredients 6 courgettes 80 g watercress sea salt Zest and juice of 1/2 a lemon 1 red chilli 6 fresh mint leaves 6 Tbs extra virgin olive oil salt pepper Instructions: Wash the courgettes and watercress. Thinly slice the courgettes lengthways to make flat strips. Sprinkle on a few pinches of sea salt. Allow the courgettes to soften slightly as water is extracted by the salt. Now make the dressing. Wash the lemon, chilli and mint leaves. Remove the seeds of the chilli and chop it finely. Shred the leaves. Then whisk the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, chilli and mint in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. At the barbecue: Prepare the barbecue for direct heat, approx. 220 °C. Place the courgette strips on the grate and close the lid. Grill for 3-4 minutes on each side until good dark grill marks have formed. Take them off and allow to cool.
Carrot, Jicama & Sweet Pepper Slaw South West Collard Green Burritos 6 carrots, peeled & shredded 1 small jicama, peeled & shredded 12 mini sweet peppers thinly sliced, or reg. sweet peppers 1 cup cilantro, chopped or snipped juice of one lime, approx 3 tbsp 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp agave syrup 1 large clove garlic, crushed 1/2 tsp cumin 1/4 tsp cayenne or to taste 1/8 tsp sea salt Prepare dressing by combining lime juice, olive oil, agave, garlic and spices. Stir well and set aside. Prepare veggies and place in large bowl tossing to combine. Pour dressing over veggies and toss again. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and serve immediately, being sure to gather settled juices with each serving. May be served as a main luncheon salad, adding a bed of greens if desired, or alongside another dish, or even tucked inside a wrap with greens. If you have left overs they will keep overnight but may not be as crunchee the next day, thus if you make more than you can eat, dress the veggies only as needed, storing the dressing separately. Also, if you wish, the agave can be replaced partly or completely with approx 1/3 cup fresh pressed apple juice as a sweetener.
Recipe from Minimalist Baker Ingredients 2 cups Raw Walnut Taco “Meat� * 3/4 cup Mexican Cheese Spread * (or something similar store-bought) 4 large collard greens* (as big and fresh as possible) 1 cup alfalfa, broccoli, or radish sprouts 1 cup fresh cilantro 1/2 small ripe avocado 1/2 cup pickled red onion (or thinly sliced radish) 1/2 cup Red Salsa (or store-bought) Prepare vegan taco meat and cheese spread. Place washed collard green leaves on a cutting board and cut off the large stems at the base. Then use a knife to thinly shave along the remaining stem at the base of the collard green to thin until pliable (this helps ease the rolling process). Place a collard green leaf on a cutting board and top with 1/2 cup raw taco meat, 1/4 cup sprouts, 1/4 cup cilantro, a couple slices of avocado, pickled onion (or radish), and a few spoonfuls Mexican Cheese Spread and Red Salsa Roll one end of collard leaf over the fillings lengthwise. Then fold the ends in, roll again, and place wrap seamside down on a serving plate. Repeat previous step with the remaining collard leaves and fillings. Best when fresh.
Crunchy quinoa salad Ingredients Cooked quinoa, Raw butternut, cubed and roasted Raw cauliflower 20 ml olive oil 30 g cucumber, cut into wedges 30 g raw carrot, julienne 20 g raw kale, torn into bit size pieces 5 g flat leaf parsley, chopped 5 g mint 30 g Danish feta, crumbled Olive oil 10 g pumpkin seeds, roasted 15 g lentil sprouts Salt and pepper LEMON VINAIGRETTE 30 ml olive oil 10 ml white wine vinegar 3 ml pomegranate molasses 1 ml wholegrain mustard 5 ml lemon juice 2 g parsley Salt and pepper
Raw Cranberry Sauce
Instructions In a frying pan, heat a little olive oil over a high heat. Pan fry cauliflower until well coloured. Ensure not to over cook cauliflower. Place all vinaigrette ingredients into a jug blender and blend together. Season to taste. To serve: Toss together quinoa, butternut, cauliflower, cucumber, carrot, kale, parsley and mint together. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette and toss well. Place into salad container and top with crumbled Danish feta, pumpkin seeds and sprouts. Recipe reprinted with permission of Source Food. Ingredients: 1 cup pitted dates 1 (16-ounce) bag fresh cranberries, about 4 cups 1/2 cup orange juice Method: Place dates in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit 15 minutes to soften. Drain dates and place in a food processor. Add cranberries and orange juice, and process until evenly chopped. Chill until ready to serve. Keeps refrigerated up to 3 days.
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Natural Women Everyday Entrepreneur Nikki Georgianna Please tell our audience more about you and what you do. My name is Nikki Georgianna. I am Creative Director at NSOB Salon in Central Florida. My background in hair spans over a decade. I started doing hair professionally as soon as I completed high school in 2000. I have spent over 12 years combined in the education and business fields before deciding to pursue entrepreneurship on a full scale. What inspires your work?
Visit website and subscribe to stay abreast of my book launch and other happenings. www.nikkimeeks.com.
Author pagesFb, Instagram, Twitter : Nikki2write Salon pagesFb : Nikki bundles braids Ig: badbraidsbynikki
A smile; I get an adrenalin rush when the clients look in the mirror after a service and smile. It might sound anticlimactic but it really is as simple as that. What can our readers expect from your work? Heart! Whatever I do , I do it with heart. I believe in throwing myself into my work (sometimes to my own detriment). Whatever I am undertaking, should get all of me or at least the best of me. I always teach my kids and those persons I coach that whatever they are doing they should always strive to be the best at it. When I was a salesman- I strived to be the best salesman. When I was a teacher- I strived to be the best teacher. Likewise with operating my salon. My mind is wired to win and as such my heart has no choice but to go along with the ride(lol) . This shows in the quality of our work and the experience the clients receive.
What has been the most challenging obstacle you have faced while pursuing your goals? My biggest challenge has been with people who somehow don’t see the value in what we do. Especially those females who have no problem buying bundles for hundreds of dollars but has a problem to pay you- the stylist who will do the install. They easily support the hair distributors but then ‘lowballs’ the hairstylist. My message to these females- if the hair isn’t installed properly , your $500 bundle may end up looking like a $50 wig (lol). You get what you pay for! Ladies stop lowballing the stylist – especially if you know he/she will do a good job. What products and serves do you provide? The hair salon offers a wide array of services including but not limited to ; weaves , braids, natural styling, loc maintenance, cuts and color. We cater to all ethnicities, all ages, both male and female. The nail salon offers all standard nail services. Why did you feel it was necessary for you to choose this path?
Its natural progression! After you have served someone’s business for years usually the next logical step is to start your own and build your empire. A large part of the population is looking towards entrepreneurship especially because of the freedom and perks that come with it. Hair has been a constant in my life. I always did hair – whether it was in my dorm while on campus, on the weekend/ holiday while I was teaching or doing sales or while on a business trip . I have made a few career changes in my life but one thing has remained the same – I do hair (lol). I had to fight (not physically) to get into Cosmetology when I attended high school in Jamaica. The career advisor at the time thought that students who were strong academically shouldn’t pursue Cosmetology so she tried to steer me towards other electives. I was a rebel, so I decided that I was not taking that advisor’s advice and I insisted that I was going to pursue Cosmetology as an elective. I am happy I did đ&#x;˜Š, I guess being stubborn pays off sometimes. What other works/projects are you working on. I have a hair product line; Kinki Nikki. The first product under that line is a Cannabis (CBD) shampoo which is really good for repairing the hair cuticle. It is rich in vitamin E and as such is great for adding moisture. I am looking to add conditioner and edge control to the offering. What do you wish for readers to gain from your work? Be fearless! When you are fearless, you become limitless. The only thing standing between you and your dreams – is you! Jump‌.what’s the worse that can happen? You will either learn to fly or you fall. And if you fall there is only one way to go; that’s up. During the process you would have learnt 1 way how not to jump- in life you either win or learn, you never lose My debut book “The Secret To Entrepreneurial Successâ€? goes on sale in Spring 2019. It will be available for pre-order starting Dec 1, 2018. It will be available on Amazon and Kindle. END
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Cover Story
Natural Men In Business Exclusive Interview with Mike McMillan by Azizah Nubia
How He Turned His Beard Business into A World Wide Brand Mike McMillan Business man, father, member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity and the mastermind behind one of Facebook’s most popular groups Beard Game Matters definitely fits the title of what it means to be a Natural Man. I had the opportunity to sit down a talk with Mike on what inspired his idea to create his 1.7 million member Facebook group. I learned that the idea came from him wanting to promote and market his line of beard grooming products Man Cave Essentials. Man Cave Essentials was birthed in Mike’s kitchen and never in a million years would he have ever believed the amount of success he has generated thus far. Check out Mike ingredients to success and how The beard Game Matters group came to fruition. AZ: What inspired you to start the Beard Game Matters group? MM: The Beard Game Matters group was launched as a campaign for Man Cave Essentials Incorporated my beard grooming product line. Just as the slogan for Nike is “Let’s Do It” Beard Game Matters was the slogan for the Beard Branded products.
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AZ How long did it take for the group to go viral? MM: When I first started the group I started by adding my FB friends to the group that was around 4,000 members. Within the next 3 days the group had 11,000 members and the next day that number climbed to 35,000. Then it made it to 85,000 by the next day and thats when the media started picking up on the group. And I will never forget this day, it was a Friday the group had 85,000 members and by that Sunday it was 350,000 members. So it took about a month and a half for the group to reach the 1.7 million member status. AZ: Tell me what was going through your mind when all of this happened? Did you expect the response you received from the group?
our publications, products, we launched a dating site. We are always selling out of beard grooming products
What advice could you give to other entrepreneurs who are faced with the decision to move their business from the Kitchen to the factory?
AZ: What is your main goal to accomplish wit the group?
MM: The number one thing I could suggest is that you find a manufacturer that believes in your brand. You also want to make sure that the process will be economical for you. Do your research on more then one company and take the time to meet them in person. And finally you have to make sure the manufacturer you choose can take you formula and make it into what you have envisioned.
MM: Well the main goal of the group is to keep brand awareness and engagement going. AZ : Tell me more about the Man Cave Essential products. MM: Well we have in our first collection ‘The Bearded Boss’ that consist of a beard wash, a beard shower gel, a beard conditioner, a beard moisturizer, a beard oil and a beard promade. Our products are all natural they smell great and they benefit the bearded individual. AZ: What inspired the idea to cater to beards? MM: I am a bearded wearer my initial goal was to create something I could use then that idea evolved into me creating something for the beard community.
MM: Not at all. This caught me by surprise because it happened so fast. There was a point when all of these people wanted to join the group, then I started receiving message from people request- AZ: So did you make the products ing to be in the group. It comyourself? Is this a kitchen start up pletely spiraled out of control, but business? in a good way. AZ: Especially when you have a business and products to sell. I know there are many business owners out there that want the kind of success you obtained with this platform. Has the group help bring profit to your business? MM: Absolutely. Beard Game Matters has multiple arms from
MM: Yes the first initial product line were all created from scratch by me with some help. Now since our products are in demand we had to move the business from the kitchen to the manufacture. AZ: You hear so often about women who started a hair product company in their kitchen. Its refreshing to here a similar story from a man.
AZ: Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. You are like the Natural Man brand equivalent to what a Natural Woman is. Can you please leave us with your 3 tips of advice that you can pass on to other entrepreneurs? MM: Number 1 just remember there are no elevators to success you have to take the stairs. Number 2 be passionate and continue to move forward on your goal no matter what the opposition and number 3 always bet on yourself. AZ: Great advice this was awesome. Can you let us know where we can keep in contact with the Mastermind behind BGM. I can be reached by email at mycavemyrules@gmail.com and I can always be reached with a phone call at 336-912-2406 I am open to speak and support any beard and men grooming event and projects.
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Say Good Bye to the “ Super Woman Syndrome” What is Superwoman syndrome? In sociology, a superwoman (also sometimes called supermom) is a Western woman who works hard to manage multiple roles of a worker, a homemaker, a volunteer, a student, or other such time-intensive occupations. ... Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz entitled her book The Superwoman Syndrome in 1984. Are you a woman who wants to have it all, but thinks that in order for her to have it all she has to do it all? Are you trying to raise a family, have a career, keep up your home, attend all of your kid’s activities, work out at the gym and be socially active? Are you constantly on the go? Do you ever give yourself a break? Do you allow yourself to relax? Do you constantly give, while receiving nothing in return? If you fit this persona then you have the ‘Super Woman’ Syndrome.
According to Dr. Madeline Ann Lewis, stress is caused when people strive to be perfect in certain situations. By definition, the Superwoman Syndrome is a range of physical, psychological, and interpersonal stress symptoms experienced by a woman who attempts to perform perfectly in multiple or conflicting roles or goes overboard in one role. Some emotional and cognitive symptoms of stress include:
• • • • • • • • • The Stress Factor • • One reason having Superwoman Syndrome can be • dangerous for women is the stress that it induces. • Too much stress is unhealthy. Some stress-related • illnesses include ulcers, migraine headaches, high • blood pressure, and heart problems. Too much • stress can also produce unhealthy coping patterns. •
Irritability Unable to concentrate Having memory problems Mood swings Thinking about negative things all the time Emotional outbursts Indecisiveness Lack of sense of humor Physical symptoms of stress include: Muscle tension Stomach/abdominal pain Muscle spasms or nervous tics Unexplained rashes or skin irritations Sweating when not physically active ‘Butterflies’ in the stomach Unable to sleep or excessive sleep Shortness of breath
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Another way that women who have Superwoman Syndrome have been known to cope with their stress is to use prescription drugs. This can be dangerous to their health and can sometimes lead to serious addictions. Healing from Superwoman Syndrome Are looking for a way out of the Super Women Mentality? Well, check out these Natural Woman Tips on how you can have it all without having to do it all. Reprogram your thoughts & behavior- learn to express yourself, your thoughts, your feelings, your beliefs, all while respecting the rights of others. Support system - build your own support system and form effective relationships. These people can give help and comfort during times of potential stress. Have a relationship with Spirit - take time out of your day for prayer and to be reflective. Learn to delegate and ask for help - you really don’t have to do everything. If your kids are old enough, ask them for help with housework. Ask your husband to lend a helping hand at home. It really is okay to ask for help. Let go of perfectionism- realize that the house does not have to be clean 24/7. Dinner does not have to be just right every evening. It really is impossible to be perfect all of the time. Take time out for you - get your hair done, a massage, a pedicure. Go shopping for a new outfit. Go off somewhere on your own and read a good book. Have coffee with a good friend. The world really will go on while you take a break.
What Do I Do When My Manifesting Isn’t Working? I do a lot of talking when it comes to the subject of the Law of Attraction and manifesting our desires. I believe that we all have a divine birthright to live on this planet living our best lives. There is so much information on how you can utilize the science of law of attraction. Many people give steps, tips, there are even movies on the topic. But what are you suppose to do when you understand the steps and apply them, but nothing happens? So first off: don’t panic! The more you freak out about your magic not working, the more difficult it will be to get back on track! Manifesting your desires is an art that you are co-creating with the Universe and the main ingredient is your energy. If your energy isn’t right trust me when I say the “magic won’t work right”.
I know you are probably wondering how do I get my energy to act right? Well, that’s simple I wrote a list of tips you can use to help you get your energy in- check so keep reading your answers are on the way. 1. Recalibrate First and foremost, it’s time to check back in with yourself. Think about your intention. Now try imagining how it would feel to have it actually come true. Then ask yourself: do you still feel truly aligned with that goal? Does it still light you up? 2. Shift Your Energy Manifesting energy cannot work within the same field as fear or anxiety. So ask yourself how you are really feeling about what you’ve asked for. If you’re detecting more negative feelings around your intention than positive ones, it’s time to shift things.
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4. Feel, Don’t Think Manifesting always starts in the heart, not the head. You must believe before you can receive. 5. Let Go Remember to let go and stay out of the details. In other words, you can set an intention but don’t get attached to the how. The Universe is much smarter than we are! There are a million different ways you can get what you want. Don’t try to micromanage how things should happen. 6. Look For The Proof Sometimes your wishes will come falling straight out the sky, practically bumping you straight on the head. But other times, things aren’t so obvious. Energy is a pattern; sometimes signs arrive long before our actual intention shows up. Sometimes the tides begin to turn in tiny almost-imperceptible ways. But by turning our attention to those tiny events, we magnify and attract more and more of them. So start looking around you for “evidence”. You’ll always find some if you keep an open mind.
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Tips for Self Care: Creating A Sacred Space.
Altars have been used for millions of years as a sacred place to come and be one with your mind body and soul. In today’s world a common place for altars is in sanctuaries, temples, or churches. It’s a place to come and pray, give thanks, and even receive healing. I have my own personal altar and I feel that its important for every woman to have a sacred place in her home to just be still and free. Since my journey of using altars, I have created a sacred portal to the spiritual world. We are all spirits having a human experience, but we get so caught up in our human life, that we forget to take the time to visit our spiritual self. Having an altar can help you remember to take some time to be still in reflect. I feel connected to the spirit when I sit at my altar, it reminds me that I am more than just my physical self, it represents my inner feminine essence. I think it is important for every woman to have a sacred place in her home. There is no limit to what you can do or create at your altar. An altar can be used in many ways: To say thank you to the powers that be, • Celebrate Mother Nature, • Seek spiritual wisdom • Honor the ancestors • To offer up struggles • To receive creative inspiration
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It doesn’t matter what your spiritual beliefs are anyone can benefit from using an altar. With so much negative programming concerning spirituality outside of religious orders. People may be nervous when you see someone with an altar. Do not let someone else’s belief cloud your own experience. An altar is a special place, where you can commune with both the personal and the cosmic aspects of yourself. Here are somethings you can place on your altar. ( You can be as creative as you please, this is only ideas to get you started.) • Candles • Incense • Pictures of your Ancestors (Obituaries) • Fresh Cool Water • Crystals • Feathers • Bells • Mirrors • Statues of Deities • Flowers Remember your altar should reflect your inner self. It should be a place where you go to be still and connect with your higher self. 6 Things To Do If Your Manifesting Isn’t
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Cardi B Talks About Doing a Vision Board For Her New Fashion Line Collection According to reports, Cardi B’s line at Fashion Nova is a runaway success, selling out immediately. The line sold out within hours of its debut generating over 10 million dollars in sales. The former reality show star shared on social media that some of the items her line should be restocked just in time for Black Friday, and other pieces will be back on the site in a couple of weeks. While there are many factors to Cardi B’s success it has been very clear that she is fully aware that what the mind conceives the mind can achieve. This rings true for Cardi B as well, the hip hop star shared in a IG post that she created a vision board and one of her visions to manifest was her own fashion line. So we know you are thinking well how do vision boards work and if Cardi B is a millionaire why does she need a vision board? Creating a sacred space that displays what you want actually does bring it to life. Science has proven what we focus on expands. When you create a vision board and place it in a space where you see it often, you essentially end up doing short visualization exercises throughout the day.
Visualization is one of the most powerful mind exercises you can do. According to the popular book The Secret, “The law of attraction is forming your entire life experience and it is doing that through your thoughts. When you are visualizing, you are emitting a powerful frequency out into the Universe.” Whether you believe that or not, we know that visualization works. Olympic athletes have been using it for decades to improve performance, and Psychology Today reported that the brain patterns activated when a weightlifter lifts heavy weights are also similarly activated when the lifter just imagined (visualized) lifting weights. So, what’s the big secret to creating a vision board that works? It’s simple: Your vision board should focus on how you want to feel, not just on things that you want. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to include the material stuff, too. However, the more your board focuses on how you want to feel, the more it will come to life. Don’t believe us? Well check out some pieces from Cardi’s Line as proof.
She Bad Maxi Dress in Black ($79.99) Fashion Nova
Bougiee Bad and Thick Dress in Burgundy ($49.99). Fashion Nova
Now I’m a Boss Jacket ($59.99) and Pant in Royal ($39.99) and I Like It Bodysuit in Royal ($19.99) Fashion Nova
Newcastle Coated Plaid Set ($89.99) Fashion Nova
I Like Stunntin’ Trench Jacket in Black ($79.99) Fashion Nova
Beverly and Wilshire Blazer Set ($89.99) Fashion Nova
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Pretty and Plaid Dress ($49.99) Fashion Nova
Hard to Read Bodysuit in Mustard ($17.99) and From the Bronx Denim Skirt ($59.99) Fashion Nova
What’s Poppin Jacket in Red ($199.99) Fashion Nova
Never Get Cold Fur Coat ($199.99) Fashion Nova
This Expensive Bodysuit ($49.99) Fashion Nova
Hard to Read Bodysuit in White ($17.99) Fashion Nova
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Feature
Mass Incarceration: How One Prisoner Used Music To Cope With Doing Time ‘The Jimmy Canyon Story’ by Azizah Nubia
Serving a long prison sentence in a United States prison can be very depressing and difficult for some people to handle. This has not been the case for an Ohio prisoner who turned to making music as a way for him to cope with prison life. Jimmy Canyon aka Free Guap has been serving a 24-year sentence since he was 22 years old now at the age of 34 Guap has touched the lives of other prisoners through his music.
Jimmy to the crime only a testimony from a witness who was also involved with tampering with a member of the jury that convicted Canyon. In most cases tampering with the jury is grounds for a mistrial but in Guap’s case, the judge preceded with the trial that later convicted him for the alleged crime.
Guaps music has made a huge impact within the Ohio prison that holds up to 70,000 prisoners. ” I get a lot of love and respect in here because of my music. I have done shows here and the entire With so much time on his hands, Guap turned to compound has come out. It feels good to know my writing as a way to help him relieve stress while music lifts spirits. I’m not just rapping to them, I’m serving his time. He then found a glimpse of freehere with them.” “My music is my freedom. It’s my dom when he discovered he could record himself pain, I’m still here living it. I speak on behalf of all on a prison owned keyboard. This led him to begin making music that later spread throughout the the homies cut like me sentenced to jersey numbers. prison system making him a voice of inspiration and I want people to understand your circumstances do not define you. Regardless of what you are going support to his fellow prisoners. Guap grew up like most black males from the inner through life is still what you make it.” city raised in a single mother household with little Guap has definitely turned his lemons into lemonpresence from his birth father. Guap turned to the streets as a way of life that eventually landed him in ade. He has recorded music, performed sold-out prison. “I wasn’t a bad kid my mother did a great job shows, and created his own brand all behind bars. “I with raising me. I surrounded myself with the wrong am no different than Boosie or a Meek Mill, I have been wrongfully accused and incarcerated by a syscrowd that wasn’t right.” Jimmy was only 22 years tem that uses me for profit. The difference is that the old when he was sentenced to 24 years in prison for aggravated robbery and felonious assault with a world hasn’t had the chance to hear my story” weapon. There was no physical evidence connecting www.naturalwomanmagaine.com
Guap has already served 11 years of his 24year sentence. He is currently working towards raising funds from his music sales to pay for a new legal team to help him come home. With the hopes of being released one-day Guap wants to continue to pursue his music career as well as being an advocate for at-risk youth.
The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration.
Guap’s story is just another story that shines a light on the unfair criminal justice system that continues to pile in prisoners for profit. According to the Sentence Project, there are 2.2 million people in the United States prisons and jails. This is a 500% increase over the last 40 years. This increase is not due to crime rates, but changes in law and policy. The results of these statistics are the cause of overcrowding in prisons and fiscal burdens on states. In an article by the Washington Post, The two largest for-profit prison companies in the United States – GEO and Corrections Corporation of America – and their associates have funneled more than $10 million to candidates since 1989 and have spent nearly $25 million on lobbying efforts. Meanwhile, these private companies have seen their revenue and market share soar. They now rake in a combined $3.3 billion in annual revenue
WE HAVE AN INDUSTRY AND ECONOMY DEPENDENT ON HUMAN CAGING AND CONTROL
Harsh sentencing laws like mandatory minimums, combined with cutbacks in parole release, keep people in prison for longer periods of time. The National Research Council reported that half of the 222% growth in the state prison population between 1980 and 2010 was due to an increase of time served in prison for all offenses. There has also been a historic rise in the use of life sentences: one in nine people in prison is now serving a life sentence, nearly a third of whom are sentenced to life without parole.
Why should this raise eyebrows? Private prisons make a profit off of every inmate per year. For example in the state of Ohio where Guap is serving his time, the average cost per prisoner is $50,452 in some states the numbers are even higher. Some may argue that the cost of the prisoners goes towards the prisoner’s expenses and care, but after further research, 83% of prison profits go towards employee salaries, benefits, and pensions. Leaving only 17% to cover food, housing, medical care and other expenses for prisoners. So who pays this hefty price for private prisons? We do! The people foot the bill via taxes through our government who then create stipends to private prisons. According to data from the Corrections Accountability project we as a nation, we spend more than $80 billion annually to incarcerate 2.2 million people in facilities whose deplorable conditions, subpar treatment services, and ineffective programs engender recidivism. Private prisons capitalize on crime to create a legal form of human trafficking that targets those our social structures have failed for profit. Where do we need to go from here? We need a justice system that has different responses for different situations—shifting gears to treatment, prevention, and long-term public safety solutions as appropriate. By taking a practical approach to criminal justice reform, we can decrease crime, enhance public safety, and make more responsible use of our resources. In particular, we need to start by: Eliminating mandatory minimum sentences and cutting back on excessively lengthy sentences; for example, by imposing a 20-year maximum on prison terms. Shifting resources to community-based prevention and treatment for substance abuse. Investing in interventions to that promote strong youth development and respond to delinquency in age-appropriate and evidence-based ways. Examining and addressing the policies and practices, conscious or not, that contribute to racial inequity at every stage of the justice system. Removing barriers that make it harder for individuals with criminal records to turn their lives around.
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