The Chris Hedges Report: The Long Road Home – Part 2 – Everything Law and Order Blog

In the conclusion of The Long Road Home, Chris Hedges looks at the numerous hurdles faced by prisoners released into society, the toll of reentry on their families, the importance of educational programs in restoring self-esteem and setting goals, and the difficult process of parole. Hedges begins by speaking with Russ Owen, who spent 32 years in prison, on the day of his release from East Jersey State Prison. Owen, who graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University and earned a doctorate in Pastoral Care in prison, began work recently as a community organizer with New Jersey Together. He says that although he is free, he struggles to cope with the deep loneliness that defined his life in prison.

Hedges speaks with Russ Owen’s mother, Mae Owen, along with four other former prisoners: Boris Franklin, who spent 11 years in prison; Ron Pierce, who spent 30 years in prison; Robert Luma, whose nickname is Kabir and who spent 16 years in prison; and Thomas Dollard, who spent 30 years in prison. All were Chris’s students in the college degree program offered by Rutgers University to prisoners in the New Jersey State prison system. Collectively, they spent 119 years in prison.

Chris Hedges interviews writers, intellectuals, and dissidents, many banished from the mainstream, in his half-hour show, The Chris Hedges Report. He gives voice to those, from Cornel West and Noam Chomsky to the leaders of groups such as Extinction Rebellion, who are on the front lines of the struggle against militarism, corporate capitalism, white supremacy, the looming ecocide, as well as the battle to wrest back our democracy from the clutches of the ruling global oligarchy.

Directors of Photography: Chris Arnone and Michael Johnson 
Produced by: Rebecca Myles and Chris Arnone
Editing by: Chris Arnone, Michael Johnson, and Shawn McMillan
Graphic design by: Shawn McMillan

Watch The Chris Hedges Report live YouTube premiere on The Real News Network every Friday at 12PM ET: https://therealnews.com/chris-hedges-report

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26 thoughts on “The Chris Hedges Report: The Long Road Home – Part 2”
  1. I know some of these guys got locked up for bullshit but I know a guy who raped a 12 year old, we were friends at one time. He wants me to call him, I'm sorry but I'm gonna steer clear of him. I'm sure it's gonna be hard for him.

  2. American goverment system is keeping black folks down systematically and breaking up families so that father to son and generations end up in prison.

    The prison system is a modern day slave ships on ground.

  3. Chris deserves a lot of respect , it's just not only a job for him , he believes in these people , and puts his soul into getting them an education that will help them when they get released !
    It's seems as if some are now personal friends and not just to be forgotten about when released !

  4. Let's hope all these people get the breaks they so badly need !
    I hope they all do well , despite all the hurdles the system puts in front of them !

  5. The destruction of black Community is the goal of the powers that be. The Alphabet department knew black folks are formidable which led to dividing the black family with cocaine

  6. Unspeakably beautiful in expressing the 21st century Jim Crow and the scars punitive justice makes on the most vulnerable members of our community. Thank you!! And thank you to your students for their courage to tell their story!!

  7. Mr. Owen, with all my heart I hope America can earn your trust again. I ache for the day America will truly be a fair and integrated society and culture for everyone. Well done Mr. Hedges.

  8. These students have become excellent teachers
    The professionalism of this documentary is unparalleled to anything I've seen lately

  9. WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT BEING A HINDU?

    By Francois Gautier.

    Diversity in Divinity and Unity in Spirituality.

    1) Believe in God ! – Aastik – Accepted

    2) Don't believe in God ! – You're accepted as Nastik

    3) You want to worship idols – please go ahead. You are a murti pujak.

    4) You dont want to worship idols – no problem. You can focus on Nirguna Brahman.

    5) You want to criticise something in our religion. Come forward. We are logical. Nyaya, Tarka etc. are core Hindu schools.

    6) You want to accept beliefs as it is. Most welcome. Please go ahead with it.

    7) You want to start your journey by reading Bhagvad Gita – Sure !

    8) You want to start your journey by reading Upanishads – Go ahead.

    9) You want to start your journey by reading Purana – Be my guest.

    10) You just don't like reading Puranas or other books. No problem my dear. Go by Bhakti tradition . ( bhakti- devotion)

    11) You don't like idea of Bhakti ! No problem. Do your Karma. Be a karmayogi.

    12) You want to enjoy life. Very good. No problem at all. This is Charvaka Philosophy.

    13) You want to abstain from all the enjoyment of life & find God – jai ho ! Be a Sadhu, an ascetic !

    14) You don't like the concept of God. You believe in Nature only – Welcome. (Trees are our friends and Prakriti or nature is worthy of worship).

    15) You believe in one God or Supreme Energy. Superb! Follow Advaita philosophy

    16) You want a Guru. Go ahead. Receive gyaan.

    17) You don't want a Guru.. Help yourself ! Meditate, Study !

    18) You believe in Female energy ! Shakti is worshipped.

    19) You believe that every human being is equal. Yeah! You're awesome, come on let's celebrate Hinduism!

    "Vasudhaiva kutumbakam" (the world is a family)

    20) You don't have time to celebrate the festival.

    Don't worry. One more festival is coming! There are multiple festivals every single day of the year.

    21) You are a working person. Don't have time for religion. Its okay. You will still be a Hindu.

    22) You like to go to temples. Devotion is loved.

    23) You don't like to go to temples – no problem. You are still a Hindu!

    24) You know that Hinduism is a way of life, with considerable freedom.

    25) You believe that everything has God in it. So you worship your mother, father, guru, tree, River, Prani-matra, Earth, Universe!

    26) And If you don't believe that everything has GOD in it – No problems. Respect your viewpoint.

    27) "Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu " (May you all live happily)

    You represent this! You're free to choose, my dear Hindu!

    This is exactly the essence of Hinduism, all inclusive .. That is why it has withstood the test of time inspite of repeated onslaught both from within and outside, and assimilated every good aspects from everything . That is why it is eternal !!!

    There is a saying in Rigveda , the first book ever known to mankind which depicts the Hinduism philosophy in a Nutshell " Ano bhadrah Krathavo Yanthu Vishwathah" Let the knowledge come to us from every directions

  10. Some day we will deconstruct and dismantle the meat grinder state apparatus that dehumanizes people in this way. Replace it with something that gives everyone the chance to fully actualize their potential as human agents of a greater togetherness.

  11. All of those guys seem to have good teeth and seem healthy and strong. Some are not young anymore but they look younger than they probably are. Maybe that's atypical for those leaving prison, but perhaps it's typical of those who attended Chris Hedges' classes and appreciated the education that they were getting. Hedges is a radical intellectual and that's probably just what these men needed.

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