There's No Paris in Bama: A Comparison of Jailhouse Experiences

Perhaps being one of the "Super Privileged" in this country provides more perks than the obvious gorgeous appearance and millions on hand. Perhaps an official decision was bought - they say that everyone does have their price.

On the other end of the cream of the crop's spectrum is the following comparison: during a lengthy stay in Birmingham's own Jefferson County Jail during 2001, I listened to the agony of a young, black woman giving birth on the cement floor of the cellblock one night. She was not helped in enough time to stop her preventable pain.

In addition to her mistreatment and horrible misfortune of having been jailed near her due date, the baby was stillborn. The following weeks of her confinement, the event clearly drove her mad.

The differences one immediately observes in the two women is something that actually feeds the thinking which originally led to Paris Hilton's early release. The differences mark both women's pasts, presents, and futures accordingly. The differences will probably be observed in comparisons of peoples' worth for the rest of this planet's days, sadly.

The young woman I listened to screaming in the middle of the block alone that night loved her unborn, dead child as much as Mrs. Hilton loved her Paris. If not, only the separation of adequate time spent getting to know the person her child became decidedly refines Paris's mother's love more intimately.

In a country that cares more for the elite's comfort than the care of the infant of a young, black female in the South, what can we Americans hope to teach the children who are alive and well and with whom we entrust our future?

The woman I cried with from a distance that night in Alabama always smiled. I remember seeing her approach and help new female inmates during the scariest moments of their stay with us, never seeking anything in return for her knowledge of jail or kind deeds. Being pregnant, she did receive a bit more food and a sandwich at night for a snack. I saw her give away some of her food to the ones battling withdrawals from hard drugs on occasion, as well.