When told the GOGI Campus students had designed an inmate-led workshop titled “Integrity,” Dr. Kimora wanted to share this message…

“Integrity” is such an amazing term. When I think of people who exhibit integrity, I remember those who are consistent with their core values that build community. Those folks stress personal honesty and they exhibit that honesty every day in the way they speak to others and treat others. Finally, I think that people who exhibit integrity are seeking the truth that will enable them to serve (but not control nor fix) others.

This sense of moral responsibility can be reflected in the work you do on the GOGI campuses.  For example, on page 79 of her book Prison: Getting out by Going in: Freedom from release , Coach Taylor writes about the importance of clearly defining boundaries. She writes, “Forgiveness of yourself means that you protect yourself enough so that you do not invite experiences that require forgiveness. Stay away from troublemakers or those whose integrity or honor is questionable. Stay true to your word and expect that others will do the same.” Coach Taylor is so clear about the meaning of “integrity” here. She is telling us that it is important to demand of yourself that YOU be ethical and that you demand the same of others.

Our world would have so much more integrity if people followed Coach Taylor’s advice! Her words sound simple, but they are not. It is so much easier to get angry with someone, to attempt to control another person, or to be stubborn and think and say that we are right and YOU are wrong.

Let’s get on the yellow brick road to integrity by remembering something else that Coach Taylor says on page 79 of her book: “Having clearly defined boundaries means that you will need to forgive less often because individuals will behave differently around you.” That is practicing “integrity”. 

Have a great July, GOGI Campus!

~ Dr. Kimora, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, July 1, 2008 ~ kimora@jjay.cuny.edu