THE LIONS TAKE ACTION AGAINST THEIR OPPRESSORS

I watched the Face Book video intently on a computer. Five lions sat on stools and waited for commands by circus handlers inside a cage. For who knows how long these lions did as they were instructed; time passed and maybe a portion of the lions self esteem faded away as whips, long steel bars and water hoses goaded lions “ into their place” before oppressors. Then during just another day in captivity one lion got off the stool and fought back : instruments of oppression mentioned above did not induce fear anymore, then all the lions got off their stools and fought back. The spell had been broken.

The illustration about lions can be applied to Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, Connecticut. For years the Youth Service Officers [ esp. those of color ] have been trained to accept the conditions of oppression. CJTS management used devices [ like those lion handlers ] like policy and procedure as cudgels [ clubs] to beat any hope out of the employees in achieving egalitarian rights. However YSOs signed a petition / letter of grievances and sent it to Department of Children & Families Commissioner Joette Katz. This organizing among YSOs is the opening salvo against their oppressors. Just like those lions refused to accept further punishment, human beings on the plantation say enough-fight back. At some point beasts from a jungle or human beings are not to be treated as ciphers; all living things have a right to be treated with respect and not tormented. CJTS employees do not receive the respect they deserve, that is why YSOs voted not to let CJTS Superintendent William Rosenbeck attend the meeting with Katz. For all intents and purposes the employees [ lions] know who the handlers at the plantation are.

A small rebellion has taken place at CJTS plantation and no matter what happens next the lions have risen against their masters. Once people decide not to sit on a stool created by oppressors then it is time for action.