Without A Vision, You Can't Go Forward

Marilyn Buck fi rst went to prison in 1973, serving 4 years of a 10 year sentence. When she went back to prison in 1985 she wrote, “For prisoners, writing is a life raft to save one from drowning in a prison swamp. I turned to poetry, an art of speaking sparely but fl agrantly.” She was awarded three PEN Prison Writing Program prizes, including fi rst prize for poetry in 2001.

Fluent in Spanish, Marilyn helped Spanish–speaking prisoners, supporting them in protecting their human rights. She also taught English as a Second Language to help people advocate for themselves. Marilyn was incarcerated for 15 years in California at FCI Dublin. Below we share words from dear friends who did time with her:

Hamdiya Cooks (Admin. Dir. LSPC, former Dir. Of CCWP):
Marilyn is already missed. She supported all freedom struggles. I was in prison many years with Marilyn starting from 1994. I will always hold her dear as a friend in my mind and heart. I remember all the times we spent working, playing and even crying together. I remember once I went to Marilyn crying, saying I could not do 1 more day. By the time we ended our talk, I could do another day. We played racket ball, did yoga, did poetry together, we collaborated helping people get their GEDs. We worked well together to be there for each other and for others. I will always love her.

Laura Whitehorn (Former political prisoner)
I missed Marilyn every day of the 11 years after I left her in prison in Dublin, despite our phone calls and letters. Marilyn’s courage was not only her willingness to put her body on the line in solidarity with national liberation movements. It was also in her willingness to face head on the endless, deep and almost invisible ways racism affects every second of our lives, and the privilege we white people inherit for being white. Nothing about Marilyn’s politics was automatic. Every position was thought out, fought for, studied, held up to inspection. She leaves us bereft of her presence, but enriched by her example: the fearlessness of a woman unafraid to admit that she felt fear.

Linda Evans (Former political prisoner, All of Us or None organizer)
If Marilyn were with us now, she’d be telling us not to make a fuss over her, to support the other political prisoners and get on with the struggle! I admire and love and miss so much about her. She always found ways to help and support other women inside. Under unimaginably diffi cult conditions, Marilyn contributed to liberation through her writing, solidarity statements, visits, and correspondence. Her creativity and open-mindedness about ways she could be an activist inside are an example for all of us. Moving forward in the struggle, escalating our resistance, and caring for each other in the process, are ways we can keep Marilyn’s spirit alive. Dare to struggle, dare to win!
Marilyn Buck, presente!

Last updated January 6, 2011 06:04 PM