ADORING FANS AT THE GATE

I recently spoke with a friend of mine who runs a therapy group at a women's prison. During our chat, she lamented the fact that many of the inmates she counsels end up re-offending because they lack an adequate support system when they're released from jail. Without strong back-up, she explained, released inmates quickly become frustrated and overwhelmed by the social and economic barriers that ex-cons encounter outside prison walls. When that occurs, many of the former inmates slide back into the negative behavior patterns that got them locked up in the first place. It’s a vicious cycle.

I was reminded of that conversation today as I was reading and watching various media accounts of pop star Justin Bieber’s overnight entanglement with police in Miami Beach, Florida. The entanglement resulted in charges being filed against Bieber for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, drag racing on a public street and resisting arrest. After being detained at the Turner Guillford Knight Correctional Center, Bieber was taken before a judge who set bail in the amount of $2,500. Bieber then posted bail and was released. Outside the correctional center, Bieber was greeting by hundreds of adoring fans who waved, held up signs and screamed excitedly at their musical idol. Bieber responded to the outpouring of support by emerging through the sunroof of the vehicle he was traveling home in and waving to crowd of well-wishers.

As I was watching a video clip of Bieber’s release from jail, I was reminded of the huge disparity that exists in our treatment of the “haves” and the “have-nots” who get released from our criminal justice system. Bieber was met at the release gate by hundreds of well-wishers. A lot of women my friend counsels get picked up by their pimp or drug dealer. Bieber drove home to a luxury mansion. Many other inmates go home to an eviction notice hanging on their door. None of Bieber’s upcoming concerts or paid appearances have been cancelled, but most other inmates can’t even get a job interview at Wal-Mart, let alone land a full-time, minimum wage position. In the entertainment industry, a rap sheet is often viewed as a badge of honor. In the real working world, it’s frequently a death sentence dooming an ex-con to failure.

I hope Justin Bieber learned something constructive from last night’s brush with the law, but I doubt it. That’s the jaded me talking, or maybe the realist that recognizes that the wealthy and entitled live by a different set of rules…and it burns me up to see the “have-nots” treated with scorn while the “haves” go right on thumbing their noses at those trapped under their feet.