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3/12/2020 Bigotry at Jameson Annex The defination of a bigot according to the American Heritage Dictionary is: n. One who is intolerant esp. in matters of religion, race, or politics. Myself being white or I guess to politically correct term, Caucasian and a Zen Buddhist who practices meditation and runs the small Buddhist Group here at the Jameson Annex of the South Dakota State Penitentiary, I can tell you I have experienced bigotry here in it's many forms. My personal view is that it is ignorant for a person or a group of people, whether it be inmates or prison staff to hate a person simply for practicing a different religion or way of life that is different from their own. I can't count the number of times I have been labeled "crazy," "retarded," "weird," "Buddha rat," etc. because of my religious/spiritual practice. This is especially true when inmates or prison staff see me practicing seated meditation in my cell or out on the recreation yard. I also do a walking meditation called Kin-hen Zen Buddhism translates to meditation Buddhism. It never ceases to amaze me how close minded people are towards others who are, it their eyes, different. 1 Over I have been teaching/leading the Jameson Buddhist Group for years and I have noticed it is a constant struggle within people between Ignorance versus Wisdom. There may be alot of misunderstandings and misinformation given about a prisoner like myself practicing meditation and Buddhism. In this day and age, I am still confused as to people enjoying to gossip and be negative about a person or religious practice instead of actually sitting down over a cup of coffee and having a five minute honest conversation. I encourage all people to find out what is true for themselves. I leave you with this quote to ponder from Buddha: "Don't believe everything you see, read, or hear from others, whether of authority, religious teachers or text. Find out for yourself what is truth, what is real." respectfully Submitted by Shane Bell Shane Bell P.O. Box 5911 Sioux Falls SD 57117-5911
