Street Scholars’ Panel Discussion on Mass Incarceration Draws Crowd and Brings Awareness to Merritt

(SEE MORE PHOTOS) An emotionally powerful panel discussion on “The Imprisonment of the African Spirit,” last week by Merritt’s Street Scholars and community activists drew a crowd in the Student Lounge as part of the Black History Month events. The discussion was moderated by Lasana Hotep, former Merritt dean, with a welcome by COSER Instructor Dr. Bill Love and  introduction by Ronald Moss, Street Scholars/The Gamble Institute Executive Director.  In between clips of the new documentary “13th” about mass incarceration (on Netflix), the five panelists spoke on the subject and talked about their own experiences in the prison system. After a standing ovation and a Q&A period, many audience members came up to meet the panelists and offer their appreciation for telling their stories and bringing awareness to this important topic. The Black History Month events were coordinated by African-American Studies Chair Jason Seals with ASMC, Black Student Union, East Bay Community Foundation, and the Brotherhood of Elders Network. Pictured l-r: Lasana Hotep, Andrew Gabriel, Ronald Moss, Darris Young, John Jones III, Jemal Taylor, and Earthy Young.