Summer 2002 volume 98 issue 3 : letters
Re: The Classroom Inside
I felt compelled to respond to the article regarding Dr. Mamiya’s Green Haven Prison program. I took a course with Dr. Mamiya in the late ’70s in which I refused to participate in this part of the course. Twenty some odd years later, I have yet to regret that decision especially after reading this article. I was offended and extremely disappointed to read that this program was popular among many suburban white Vassar students because it facilitated social contacts with Black and Latino men. How sad that these same students did not take advantage of the opportunity — however currently limited — at Vassar to address their ethnic misconceptions by establishing dialogues, or even friendships, with their Black and Latino Vassar male peers. How even sadder still that these same students felt comfortable crossing the so-called “color line” in an extremely controlled environment.
Sheryl Smikle ’81
Poughquag, New York
I was delighted to see the article about Vassar students interacting with inmates inside Green Haven Prison. In the last five years I have spent over 600 “inside” hours as a facilitator in the Alternatives to Violence Project mentioned at the end of the article, and it has added immeasurably to my life. A unique part of the program is the training of inmates to be part of the facilitation team. Interestingly, this program started at Green Haven in the 1970s and now exists in most states in the U.S. (not “Massachusetts-based” as stated in the article). Participation is available to any of you reading this. The most important qualification is the belief that we never stop learning even when we appear to be leaders. Information is at http://avpusa.org. (Our oldest facilitator received her training five years ago at the age of 90 and, yes, she still facilitates regularly.)
Dotty Voorhees Joos ’61
Occidental, California