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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Culture

signs, symbols, symptoms, and systems

Same Thang, Different Name

June 30, 2022

men hating women men envying women men controlling women women acting like men to relive…

More Same Thang, Different Name

Optical Ill-lusions

June 30, 2022

in other news… we were watching the news and I heard a “prisoner” say “damn,…

More Optical Ill-lusions

Generational Curse (spoken word)

June 28, 2022

I am a generational curse I am my generation’s curse cursed, fuck! I am the…

More Generational Curse (spoken word)

No Choice

June 12, 2022

pro-choice or pro-life to have to make a choice is no freedom nor real choice…

More No Choice

Leaders Lead Fulltime

June 9, 2022

and here lies the responsibility of opening doors what’s the point if you’re not there…

More Leaders Lead Fulltime

At the Mercy of Courage

May 29, 2022

I brought people together on the yard after seeing what is replayed on the news…

More At the Mercy of Courage

Human Terrorists and Humanitarians

May 15, 2022

how we give much aid when those taxed for the aid need aid Ukraine is…

More Human Terrorists and Humanitarians

Fear Defies Reason

May 3, 2022

everybody is waiting some, proactive in that they are preparing but most, are stagnant. why?

More Fear Defies Reason

Definition’ers

May 3, 2022

if we can build buildings and trade goods with clear codes and protocols yet can…

More Definition’ers

Overflow-eth

May 3, 2022

the corrupt can always be corrupted even before the corruption the corruption is reaction of…

More Overflow-eth

Cut Outs

May 3, 2022

there are many pieces can you see the ones needing to be brought back together?

More Cut Outs

This is that Man’s Worlds

May 2, 2022

the world is more than black and white yet I lose not sight of arrangement…

More This is that Man’s Worlds

Poor Choice, Poor Condition

April 25, 2022

to all who have ears to listen and eyes to bear witness sometimes poor is…

More Poor Choice, Poor Condition

I know I am, but so are You

April 10, 2022

institutionalization is conformity systems indoctrinate institutions institutions administer people systems classify organizations and organisms people…

More I know I am, but so are You

Constructive Criticism

April 8, 2022

constructs critics and isms if one can gain proper perspective then no answer can be…

More Constructive Criticism

Here’s a Radical Thought

April 4, 2022

for mental liberation western thought must be eradicated! for the new Babylon has reigned its…

More Here’s a Radical Thought

Black Me, White Antagonism

March 29, 2022

why is black love synonymous with white hate why is black liberation synonymous with white…

More Black Me, White Antagonism

To each Generation Regenerated

March 25, 2022

“I got an oat, stuck in my throat” and from my voice till the field…

More To each Generation Regenerated

Erect Your Spine

March 18, 2022

the flood came last lo, foundation lost the backbone bent a temple’s collapsed pillars shocks…

More Erect Your Spine

A Mistaken Will

March 10, 2022

he that claims one’s imagination enslaves his emotion and subjugates his kingdom to the dominion…

More A Mistaken Will

Lost Religion

February 16, 2022

religion used to be a process of self-initiation now it has converted to mass assimilation…

More Lost Religion

Black History Free Writes: Black Skin, White Mask

February 15, 2022

Frantz Fanon posed the question am I all I say I am, am I all…

More Black History Free Writes: Black Skin, White Mask

Calling out all Demons

February 3, 2022

I call on my ancestors, so that I may have faith in them, to speak…

More Calling out all Demons

My Country ‘Tis of Thee

February 2, 2022

I don’t know if this is just black history month cuz it also feels like…

More My Country ‘Tis of Thee

Recognizing a Black History Month Shero

February 1, 2022

This month we should not only be honoring our ancestors that pushed through the veils…

More Recognizing a Black History Month Shero

Audaciousness

January 29, 2022

tenacity voracity as opposed to veracity audacity! you can NOT, be timid you must be…

More Audaciousness

Some Relatives, You Choose

January 17, 2022

it’s a weird thing to ponder constructs and relativity when things like, construction triggers me…

More Some Relatives, You Choose

How Amazing My People Are

November 27, 2021

this is how amazing my people are despite living because of economic and systemic terrorism…

More How Amazing My People Are

You Title This…

October 27, 2021

how can Black lives matter, if I gotta say, Black Lives Matter?! I’m just a…

More You Title This…

Contagious Connections

October 27, 2021

if you’re sick I’m sick because universal contract tracing says we are all connected therefore,…

More Contagious Connections

Dist-stance

September 27, 2021

time and time we create lines and lies circumscribed to describe our circumference size then…

More Dist-stance

I Dreamed Reflections

September 1, 2021

I dreamed I fell asleep in a sarcophagus… after swallowing intoxicating thoughts of martyrdom and…

More I Dreamed Reflections

Maraudered

September 1, 2021

darkness escaped from blackness dreaded color consciousness humanity forgotten truth lost Pharaohs extinct to His-Story…

More Maraudered

Politicians

September 1, 2021

a parade of pariahs parroting paradigms of patriarchy pandering paradoxical principles pundits profiteering partiality pontificating…

More Politicians

Empac-thize

August 22, 2021

empathize with the devil advocate for the ghettos break ground with the pebbles sympathize with…

More Empac-thize

Living Liars

July 22, 2021

there’s this lie one that you must know about me I wrestle with it more…

More Living Liars

WayOfLife, the BlackSheep Rebelutionary

July 11, 2021

I am… a Revolutionary! words of power uttered, prophesized, proclaimed pontificated, enflamed empowered, activated, demonstrated,…

More WayOfLife, the BlackSheep Rebelutionary

The Case Against: Perpetuation and Prosecuting Plaintiffs

July 2, 2021

pain perpetrated by privilege promise extinguished by distinction persons distinguished til extinction purpose dissented by…

More The Case Against: Perpetuation and Prosecuting Plaintiffs

The Wisdom, Before the Fool

July 1, 2021

to know what you are you must see something alike to know who you are…

More The Wisdom, Before the Fool

Animal Kingdom

July 1, 2021

meek as a lion in a pride full of victims with an eye full of…

More Animal Kingdom

Peekaboo

June 28, 2021

if you face your fears you will see me boo! am I beautiful? freedom is,…

More Peekaboo

Foolishly Jaded Genies

June 27, 2021

taken for granted by grant writers granted, I am the grantee before the granter professing…

More Foolishly Jaded Genies

Realistic Reality

June 22, 2021

your mind tells you I’m free but your eyes say something different I know seeing…

More Realistic Reality

When is Enough, E..?

June 3, 2021

cops immune to presumed guilt criminals immune to presumed innocence justice goes to the cuff’er…

More When is Enough, E..?

A Country of Sharecroppers

June 2, 2021

who is the modern day slave? not just one sentenced to structured captivity because prison…

More A Country of Sharecroppers

American Matters of Fact

June 2, 2021

when justice and vengeance collide which is most righteous I ponder or might it just…

More American Matters of Fact

What You See isn’t What I Got

May 29, 2021

I hate you America I hate you because you made me hate myself I hate…

More What You See isn’t What I Got

The Evolution from a Complex

May 28, 2021

Dear White Woman I think I loved you to a fault a fault of self…

More The Evolution from a Complex

Modern Day Cain and Abel

May 21, 2021

why does a proud black man, make for an angry and threatened white man? why…

More Modern Day Cain and Abel

Madmen

May 20, 2021

wisdoms philosophies and religions of yesterday have been ransacked today converted to structured forms of…

More Madmen

Depravity

May 19, 2021

You know why I am so uncomfortable? Because I choose to care. You know why…

More Depravity

As a Matter of Black

May 17, 2021

I don’t expect you to save me hell I don’t even expect for you to…

More As a Matter of Black

The Ridiculousness of Us All

May 16, 2021

could you imagine if you took being duplicitous or ambiguous to the extreme of imagination…

More The Ridiculousness of Us All

Jefferson’s Reflection

May 10, 2021

reflecting on priorities they evolve but rarely change constituting priorities starting with article 1 implementing…

More Jefferson’s Reflection

Whitewashing

May 9, 2021

please stop with your illusions please stop acting as if Americans do not benefit from…

More Whitewashing

A Talent for Sovereignty

May 8, 2021

as I grow evolve I must coming aware of what’s needed like veins to a…

More A Talent for Sovereignty

Act Out

May 8, 2021

what I know now I can not let it go it can not be forgotten…

More Act Out

it takes us All

May 7, 2021

black lives matter because all lives matter so if all lives matter make sure that…

More it takes us All

Fallible Makeup

May 6, 2021

Some think the system is perfect We know it isn’t and We will make a…

More Fallible Makeup

Partisan Brawl

May 6, 2021

as partisans stall we fall but take your time it’s not like we’re dying for…

More Partisan Brawl

Sororities

May 6, 2021

black badge of inferiority white badge of superiority police badge of authority freedom badgered by…

More Sororities

Under the Blanket

May 6, 2021

it’s a cold world and that I’ve learned I heard someone say do not call…

More Under the Blanket

Nefr Tp(nefer tep)–the highest good

May 6, 2021

control of thoughts emotions devotion to purpose have in the ancestor’s ability to teach the…

More Nefr Tp(nefer tep)–the highest good

This Sad Race View of the World

May 6, 2021

the electricity and affinities of Ethnocentricity emboldens a propensity thickening race with density predisposing identities…

More This Sad Race View of the World

Inundation by Separation

May 2, 2021

let the church decree! “separation of church and state” and the small print might say…

More Inundation by Separation

Compensated Reality

May 2, 2021

through terror- psychological, physical, and systemical- through mayhem- created, formed, and ordered chaos- through control…

More Compensated Reality

Two Sides to a Country

May 1, 2021

in a democracy the people have a right to criticize their government in communism the…

More Two Sides to a Country

For the Time, Being

May 1, 2021

black lives matter until another matter, matters until another form, swarms until another cause, draws…

More For the Time, Being

Stoic Chauvin

April 26, 2021

mysterious, your last name short for chauvinism stoic and calm, your reserve sure bold and…

More Stoic Chauvin

It is What it has Always Been

April 25, 2021

police brutality synonymous with black reality celebrations are for rare occasions an underlying issue and…

More It is What it has Always Been

The Verdict

April 23, 2021

guilty guilty guilty I admit, before I heard it I was apprehensive doubtful and nervous…

More The Verdict

Too Late for a Job Well Done

April 23, 2021

it’s not that the shooting wasn’t justified it’s the many times we’ve heard a mother’s…

More Too Late for a Job Well Done

Shock Value

April 22, 2021

black oppression is racism black suppression is racism black inequality is racism black injustice is…

More Shock Value

Capitalism is Social Distancing

April 22, 2021

racism is a competitiveness a competitiveness between groups of people where people compete against a…

More Capitalism is Social Distancing

I Would Like to Smile

April 22, 2021

I want to smile in fact I love to smile universe willing, I think I…

More I Would Like to Smile

America is Great

April 22, 2021

America Is Great be-cauuuuuuse America is Great at innovating new ways to oppress and suppress…

More America is Great

History and Reality Put in Perspective

April 22, 2021

an estimated 50 million taken an estimated 13 million didn’t make it an estimated thousand…

More History and Reality Put in Perspective

Rhetoric by Design

April 22, 2021

to qualify the quality of equality you must first believe in and successfully conduct the…

More Rhetoric by Design

Should I take the Floor?

April 22, 2021

how much do I have to speak, for you to listen or how silent must…

More Should I take the Floor?

Vicissitudes and What-You-Call-Its

April 22, 2021

first I was, unknown but I was, open arms then I became, bamboozled and thereafter,…

More Vicissitudes and What-You-Call-Its

Part of a Plan

April 22, 2021

inaccurate representation is missed-representation a lack of representation is misrepresentation inaccurate education is miseducation a…

More Part of a Plan

The Forgotten

April 22, 2021

for I am the forgotten mountain America stands on enjoying it’s mighty view so I…

More The Forgotten

Incited

April 15, 2021

I wonder how you all would live when the protections, have run their course being…

More Incited

Wright, Wronged

April 15, 2021

I weep for the African American Mothers of African American Men I’m An African American…

More Wright, Wronged

Names Hold Weight

April 15, 2021

as a man of African descent I am no Uncle Tom never have been but…

More Names Hold Weight

Bodies aren’t Just Commodities

April 11, 2021

there have been 1532 souls executed in our country for every 9 killed, there is…

More Bodies aren’t Just Commodities

Seat at the Table

April 10, 2021

how, how can I acquire generational wealth when living through situational hell with, systemic instigations…

More Seat at the Table

Rigged

April 9, 2021

the system ain’t broke, that’s why they won’t fix it but inequality is beginning to…

More Rigged

What is Darker than Dark?

April 8, 2021

you know how they say happy wife, happy life well, energy transfers those you surround…

More What is Darker than Dark?

History of People of African Descent in the World and U.S.

April 7, 2021

history books inside of a curriculum of indoctrination as opposed to educating is more histrionics…

More History of People of African Descent in the World and U.S.

Residue (song by WayOfLife)

April 7, 2021

feel like I’m at the bottom, even when I’m at the top well everything don’t…

More Residue (song by WayOfLife)

Learning to Speak and Live for More than Just Me

April 6, 2021

I tried calling myself an activist but that is a process a process of enduring…

More Learning to Speak and Live for More than Just Me

A-merit-cuffs

April 5, 2021

since birth I was arrested A-meri-cuffs but we are divorced A-marry-ka you do not make…

More A-merit-cuffs

Can I Live?

April 4, 2021

Sarah Grimke said, I ask no favor for my sex, all I ask from our…

More Can I Live?

the trial for George Floyd

April 4, 2021

what is at stake and on trial is police accountability policy culpability conscious and unconscious…

More the trial for George Floyd

Fool, Money is the Fuel

April 3, 2021

laws always take time to change and then self-interest or public outcry… then a new…

More Fool, Money is the Fuel

Don’t Bother

April 2, 2021

you don’t have enough time to hear the story of my pain so don’t ask…

More Don’t Bother

Benefit by Association

April 2, 2021

I’m glad Georgia is finally changing from not having hate crime laws it’s unfortunate that…

More Benefit by Association

Religiously Political

April 1, 2021

we go against God yet claim to act in God’s will we go against Jesus…

More Religiously Political

Don’t Take it Personal, it’s Just What They Do

April 1, 2021

it seems like such a long time since the mass building of railroads opiates, grains…

More Don’t Take it Personal, it’s Just What They Do

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Prose of a Con

Prose of a Con is a collection of Russell Wardlow’s prose and poetry written entirely behind bars. Through writings on family, spirituality, freedom, love, justice, redemption, and vulnerability, Russell seeks to show the humanity and hope of individuals like himself who are incarcerated.

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  • Whose Mind is it Anyway June 30, 2022
  • Objects June 30, 2022
  • Same Thang, Different Name June 30, 2022
  • Optical Ill-lusions June 30, 2022
  • Hollow Symbols June 30, 2022

Themes

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