“…I now know why the grass is always greener on the other side. It’s cause I’m not over there to fuck it up…”
Russell from In These Rooms
Russell, a 35-year-old white male, is alcoholic and a former drug dealer. He is bipolar, on medication and a recovering sex addict who says he feels miserable with himself and with others. He describes his biggest problem in life as being ‘Stuck on Stupid.’ Forrest Gump said “…Momma taught me stupid is as stupid does.” Keeping it real, I know how this shit feels.
The year is 1998. I’m getting booked into the Douglas County Jail. It was another shoplifting collar. They require you to remove all belts and jewelry; you must turn all your shit over. I removed my Yale class ring and set it on the desk. The booking agent looked at it and asked me “…What is that?”
It’s my class ring.”
“You went to Yale?”
“Yea, I have a Master’s Degree from Yale.”
“How does some from Yale end up in a place like this?” he asked.
I said, “Shit happens.” I should’ve said “Stuck on Stupid.”
“…Forrest Gump’s Momma may not have been anyone’s genius either, but she was right that damn stupid is as stupid does…Hell, just ‘cause your ass knows better don’t mean you do better…We are all fallen, flawed and fallible. We all have our demons and we all have gangster proclivities.”
Hunter
There was a warrant for my arrest on a Grand Theft Auto Charge. My attorney’s negotiations with the prosecutors were going nowhere fast. Looked like I was going to have to face the music on this one. I had the money to bond out so I knew I wouldn’t be in for long while I fought this shit. That seemed like a better option then getting picked up on some random DWB (Driving while Black) BS. Before surrendering, I needed to be clear there were no other outstanding warrants that would keep my black ass locked up. Fortunately, I had a friend, a local pastor, who had connections with Houston Police Department and could get a look at what was waiting for me around the corner. My rap sheet came back negative on warrants across the other 5 states where I had committed grand theft auto. My friend’s question to me was, “5 States, Steven?”
Yep. I hear you Russell. Stuck on Stupid!
Read more about Hunter and tell your story. Listen to Hunter’s Podcast. All on wreckedamerica.com. In Wrecked America, #StupidMatters
The Struggle Continues…
