My guest today is Robert “Zulu” Whitaker. Zulu was released from prison in early March after serving 38 years. When my dear friend, Tarik Greene, brought Zulu with him to pick up furniture that my husband and I were donating to a new residency that MADE Transitional Services recently opened, I was so moved by Zulu’s kindness. Within a few minutes of meeting this gentle, respectful man, I invited Zulu to be a podcast guest: I wanted to provide him a forum to tell his story. And despite his nervousness, his shaking knees, Zulu began to unpack his story.
I am not an investigative journalist, nor a court attorney or judge, so I had no need to get to the bottom of anything, no agenda in our conversation. I wanted to be present to what unfolded, so I simply remained curious and compassionate. As I imagined with such a long prison sentence, Zulu was convicted of murder, but wanted him to tell me what he was ready to share.
In subsequent conversations with Zulu since this recording, I have discovered more about his childhood, his parents’ alcoholism, his father being sent to jail for killing his mother, his sister’s determination to keep him and his brothers alive, his year of homelessness and the ways a child and later an adult learns how to survive, in the streets, in the system, in prison. I do know Zulu’s remorse is deep and sincere and that he is searching to find meaning and purpose now that he has been released from prison. Zulu is deeply appreciative of the respect my husband and I have shown him, he has eagerly embraced the chance to be in nature, meditate, take long walks as he sorts out his past and steps humbly into his future. Enjoy the podcast.
Links:
Instagram-
@made-transistions
@tarik_jg
@toneyearljr
MADE Transitions Web Site
