I feel that way all the time. When I first got out I thought the world was crazy. I was taught the constitution and bill or rights in school, and I know for a fact at least my first and fourth ammendment rights were violated on a daily basis, along with other rights guaranteed under criminal law, such as the right to not be physically abused.
I honestly believed, that when I got home and told my parents what had happened, they would be outraged. I thought if I told teachers and community leaders about what happened they would be shocked and abhored and take action. Boy, was I naive.
Not only did my parents not really believe me, I watched them sink themselves into denial. My mom cried and blamed it on my dad, my dad said nothing and blamed it on me, and his ignorance (even though I sent letters describing the inhumane situation at the time). I was at a wwasp facility, so I got all the letters saying how much better the family was without me, how I was a spoiled little brat, and all sorts of things that were not true. I was not there for being a spoiled brat, I was sent for depression and meth use. Slowly over time, the idea of helping me turned into the idea of hurting me, and punishing me. I still do not understand this philosophy.
I follow the golden rule. I don't think much else is needed, if you don't want to be treated in a certain way, do not treat others that way. Simple. But after that whole experience I learned there are others who live by a completely different rule, a rule of ideology. They believe if their idea is just and righteous, it gives them the moral authority to hurt others. I completely disagree with this premise. To think this way one must be extremely arrogant, and self absorbed. One positive thing I learned from my time locked away in wwasps was to observe the negative part of human nature. It was truly an eye opener, and I am not so naive anymore. Is this good or bad? I have not reached a conclusion on this, as now I assume everyone is bad until they prove otherwise. Before wwasp, I assumed people were good until they showed otherwise. My mistake, aparently.
I like the part about how you said, "how could this happen in America". I thought the same thing too. I am a patriotic and proud american, the propaganda growing up worked on me. But it is disheartening to know that everything your country stands for, means nothing in practicality. I absolutely adore the values that America stands (stood?) for, but they are not in practice anymore. With the drug war, guantanamo, and the like it seems people are becoming more accustomed to giving away their rights.
The irony of all this I believe, is that parents are unwilling to compromise their ability to send their kids away incommunicado to torture centers on the argument of 'parental rights'. But, what about fundamental human rights? Is a child not a human as well? Parents cling to their right in order to be able to do anything to their children, well maybe it's time that children stand up for themselves. Sure a 14-15 year old might make some rash decisions and take risks adults might not otherwise take, but does that mean their soul hurts any less when locked away without trial for years without communication with any advocate?
I don't think parents have any idea what it is like. To lose everything, complete control of your life, from when you wake, to what you think, even what you say. You cannot eat, piss, shit, or even look at someone without permission and without a time limit. When you first arrive you are not even allowed to talk with other students. Is this what America stands for? I could go on and on because like Julie, I still cannot believe this activity of private kidnapping and prison is not only going on, but praised by political leaders and the like.
This country has unilaterally declared war on it's youth. It is right now actively imprisoning, torturing and drugging millions of youth in the name of compliance, without trial, without advocacy. This is not democracy, this is not freedom, this is not just.
