I once came upon a story that deeply affected me.  In 1923, in a small Mississippi town, fifteen year old Richard Wright, who was to become one of the most renowned Black authors in American literature, walked into the local library and handed the librarian a note.  It read: Please let this nigger boy have the following books: Dreiser's Jennie Gerhart, Dostoyevsky's Poor People, and Tolstoy's War and Peace.

What the librarian didn't know, and young Wright hoped she wouldn't discover, was that he had forged the note.  He did this in order to use the library card a white friend had loaned him.

As the librarian went to get the books, the nervous adolescent looked around the library.  He saw an endless of abundance of books on the shelves and reading tables.  Wright thought to himself, what joy to be free to browse among all the books at one's leisure, to dig in this volume or that volume, as one has a mind to.

As I read the story from Wright, it resonated deep within me.  I realized that even in the small prison library, I also had the freedom to dig.  I no longer had as big a selection as is contained in most libraries on the outside, in any book store, or on the internet, but still hundreds of books to choose from.

Through the magic provided by books, I no longer have to lay on my narrow bunk with severe restrictions on my movement or schedule.  Instead, I can fly to the east, west, north or south.  I can go on a peace mission for my government, walk along the hills of valleys of Eighteenth Century New England, or fall in love and raise a family in Tucson, Arizona, which is my home.

Books have always been my passport to enrich both my mind and spirit.  Books have illuminated my life with settings that are familiar to me.

Through the magic provided by books, I no longer have to lay on my narrow bunk with severe restrictions on my movement or schedule.  Instead, I can fly to the east, west, north or south.

When I put the book down, I have my letters from my very best friend, and this always stimulates my mind to go even further in my quest to find true love.  Sometimes she gets silly and sends me letters like I received today.

In the most unfamiliar place, I stay in touch with the familiar.  Books and K send me a feeling of coming home, returning to a place where I felt loved and welcome.

My body may be in prison, but my mind sets me free.  I will always march forward. Won't you please read Richard Wright?

Click here to learn more about Richard Wright.