Marc Pinkett interviewed by Ernest Bellinger
Ernest Bellinger (00:01): Okay, hello, my name is Ernest Bellinger and I'm presently, uh, going to be interviewing uh, Mr. Pinkett and this is from Ulster Correction Facility for the poetry workshop that we're presently, uh, conducting here and we would just like to simply get some feedback as to what this workshop has accomplished in a way of meeting the needs of the prisoners here at this particular facility. One of the questions I'd like to ask you Mr. Pickett is, uh, why did you enroll in this art program? Did you, did your reasons change as a result of, uh, when you initially decided to get in here?
Marc Pinkett (00:37): I um, I actually got into this program because I wanted to try something different. I've always liked poetry but I never knew too much about it so I wanted to see what it was about.
Ernest Bellinger (00:48): Oh, okay so as a result how would you describe yourself as an artist?
Marc Pinkett (00:53): Um, after this workshop I believe that I do have artistic skills. Um, this workshop has taught me how to express myself through poetry and uh, has opened up a door of thinking and writing some, some things that help me write and express myself.
Ernest Bellinger (01:12): Good and you know I have to honestly say that I bear witness as to how you actually uh, took a lighting- liking to this and how you've actually uh, grown from the class and the way in which your skills developed as the class went on and the way in which you uh, wrote poetry and expressed it and, and how the class responded to it. Uh, you know, so tell me about a favorite memory from this class.
Marc Pinkett (01:41): My favorite part was actually um, reading the poetry that I wrote. Um, it has taught me to think and, and not be afraid to put on paper and, and express um, some thoughts. And it's actually a lot of fun. Um, I, after I wrote the first couple poems, which were heartfelt and kinda personal, I began to have fun with it and I- I really enjoyed it. I think this was something that I'd like to do again.
Ernest Bellinger (02:16): Yeah, cause it, it extended beyond the class itself. I think it was something that, that uh you had the opportunity to share with your family and your loved ones and-
Marc Pinkett (02:26): Yes, I absolutely did. Um, one of the first poems I wrote was something that I wrote with my wife in mind. And it actually brought her to tears and my daughters. Um, and later I wrote a poem that was inspired by my grandson and um, he really enjoyed it. And it helped me connect with them even between this distance from prison and home so. Yes.
Ernest Bellinger (02:52): Okay, so what did this space offer you that differed from the other spaces you'e been a part of? Or what does this space offer you that differs from the other spaces you've been a part of, you know like what did the program offer you that, in comparison to the other experiences uh, being in Ulster Correction Facility Senior Living Program and then what they offer in that program uh, what is different in the way in which this program has offered you from that experience you had?
Marc Pinkett (03:20): What do you mean?
Ernest Bellinger (03:24): Oh okay, well listen, what did this program offer you outside of the spaces that you've been in before the senior living program here at Ulster Correction Facility?
Marc Pinkett (03:35): Um. Well I haven't been in any other programs. Um-
Ernest Bellinger (03:39): But from, from my understanding they have a program called uh, uh, New Freedom, uh-
Marc Pinkett (03:44): Yes.
Ernest Bellinger (03:46): [inaudible 00:03:46] years, things of that nature. So, this program is of course is different from that but does it help you be able to uh, apply yourself in those programs more so?
Marc Pinkett (03:57): Yeah, well as far as programs that I am uh, involved in, New Freedom. And to me this one is completely different. Um, New Freedom is more of a structured, uh thing where I can only say certain things, I can only express myself so much. Um, and then there's a whole different dynamic as far as the individuals that are involved. Poetry and this workshop was different because we actually came together as a unit and um, I wasn't limited as what I wanted to say or what I wanted to write about and what I wanted to share. So I felt a sense of freedom, I felt a sense of uh, that I could let go and just express myself for me.
Ernest Bellinger (04:45): Yeah I can appreciate that too. So is there anything you haven't shared in this class that you would like the opportunity to share?
Marc Pinkett (04:53): Um. Actually I've got so many poems that I wrote, I just wanna read them all for everybody. Um, but, I- I mainly wanted to share how much I enjoyed it. Um, how much I appreciate everybody's input and uh, especially uh the workshop instructor. I want to thank her because she helped me learn to respect and appreciate poetry a lot more.
Ernest Bellinger (05:19): Who? Ms. GP Mac? Ms. GP Mac?
Marc Pinkett (05:22): Ms. GP Mac.
Ernest Bellinger (05:23): Yeah, (laughs) okay because I know you wrote a wonderful poem that really paid tribute to the way in which she came in and she uh, allowed us to be able to learn from her in such a way that that poem reflected the character of what we experienced and I, I thank you for that. And I, I hope to be able to uh, see this class continues for the rest of the population [inaudible 00:05:46] I heard you took an initiative uh, within the capacity in which you work in the library to introduce it to the population and then have them sign up for it.
Marc Pinkett (05:56): I absolutely would. I actually, uh, am working the library, general library, and I was talking to the civilian there that runs the library and we plan on putting something together you know to do a poetry reading thing. And also we plan on soliciting the idea of this being something that can, that can take effect in, throughout the compound in all the categories, so yeah.
Ernest Bellinger (06:21): Right.
Marc Pinkett (06:21): I think it would be really good.
Ernest Bellinger (06:22): Ah, so I hope we'll also be able to uh, be a part of that even though we've already experienced it but there's so, so much more that I think I can get out of it so I look forward to that.
Marc Pinkett (06:33): Yes.
Ernest Bellinger (06:34): And uh, and I thank you for this time and this interview. And with that, I just, we close.
Marc Pinkett (06:40): And I thank you Mr. Bellinger.
Ernest Bellinger (06:41): Okay.