“What I will tell you, what I am about to show you, will hopefully offend you. That’s the goal.” Welcome Ryan Lo, self-proclaimed fat bastard and ex-convict. Ryan currently works ARC (Anti-Recidivism Coalition), an organization based in Los Angeles, and he was sent to prison when he was 17 years old. He was let out 2,5 years ago, when he was 40. Back in the world and rage of society, he had no idea what to do. There were ATM’s, McDonald’s everywhere, and parking garages had to be payed with credit card rather than quarters. He had to re-navigate the system, just like so many others that are let out of the prison system and into this raging world. But there is no support for these cases. The people return to the same communities, and we cannot be surprised when they end right back in prison.
Ryan’s talk (“I hate the word lecture, I’ll call this a talk”), was sprinkled with swears and highly peppered with passion. He started with stories. About 15 year old kids sented for life with no chance of parole, 14 year olds convicted to 300 years in prison. He spoke about prisons the borders they are. The cells as physical, but also the social emotional boundaries that come along with that.
Ryan then gave us a short history lesson from the 1950’s onwards, aided by video and music. Light was shone on the Youth Movement in the 1960’s, and how it revolved around the wars in Vietnam, rather than the wars that were happening on the streets in America itself. Young black people started their own movement. The government sent tanks to stomp it down. Ryan spoke about the message the media sent out. Crack was a black problem, minorites raped white women.
RYAN LO "MORAL PANIC IN HISTORY AND BORDER POLITICS"
“What I will tell you, what I am about to show you, will hopefully offend you. Thats the goal“
Gang violence was spreading, nowhere was safe. Who`s fault was it? Black people, only the black people, and especially young, black, males. Super predators were emerging, ruthless kids committing unforgivable crimes. Ryan explained the concept of moral panic, and how it was fueled by the media. In these cases, the media creates a folk devil. A minority is saddled with all the blame and demonized. And you can do whatever you want to them. Rats, japs, cockroaches… And this is not just something from the past. Now, there is the terrorist, who is portrayed in the international media alongside older horrors. You might as well call them rats again. And of course, you can do whatever you want to a terrorist. But as we all know, the media doesn't always tell the truth.
Ryan continued his talk in the same manner as before, but came back to prior examples and shone the light of truth on them. Remember crack? Actually, the most of this drug was sold at colleges by white people. But the black community got all the blame. Ryan shared examples of cases where black boys had confessed to raping a young white woman, but in truth they were severely pressed by the police to confess to a crime they didn’t commit. The real criminal later laughed that “a bunch of petty niggers got all the blame”.
Ryan had succeeded in his mission to bring us all low. The audience sat glumly and silently, raging inside and questioning. What do we do against this stream of prejudice, racism, xenophobia, islamophobia, hate? What do we do to fight? How do we avoid another holocaust? The conversation was opened, and a few suggestions rose up from the audience. Information accuracy is one of the most effective tools in fighting moral panic.
Thanks to the internet it is easier to obtain information from so many different sources. Everyone can upload photos and videos which can be viewed by all. So use the web. Also, be your own moral entrepreneur. The first world in activism is ‘act’ so act. Does it take courage? Absolutely. Is it the right thing to do? Absolutely. Be the change you wish to see in the world. Find the line and stand by it, and when they’re not looking, take another step forward.
Ryan concluded his talk with explaining to us that it had been a hassle to cross his country's borders, as he was on parole and would be for the rest of his life. He asked us to join him in thanking senator Lara’s office, who had finally granted him permission to leave the US. There was a ruffle of movement, and the entire audience stood together for the video message. The words blurred into the grand applause that followed. It was a meaningful, and emotional closing to a powerful talk, and one that left a lasting imprint. In a true YIP fashion, Ryan was available for hugs afterwards.
