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Help Rapheal w Appellate Fees #JUSTICEFORRAPHEAL

A few months ago, I came across the TedTalk of Rapheal Mitchell where I heard first-hand the story that led to him being incarcerated since 2001. His story of surviving childhood sexual molestation by different family members, and later healing from his past to never accept abuse again moved me to tears, and I decided to write him a letter sent to his facility in Ohio. We quickly began emailing every day and struck up a friendship where we talked about life, love, politics, religion, and the little things that make us smile during our days. Our lives have been so vastly different, but we have formed a connection, and I can truly say that Rapheal is the most compassionate, funny, and intelligent person I have met in a very long time.Through our conversations, Rapheal has helped me mentally and emotionally, and shown empathy for me and my partner in an unconditional way that is hard to find nowadays.
To learn more about Rapheal, please watch the TedTalk he gave (video included above). Rapheal has taken responsibility for his crime and restructured his life in a remarkable way. Even after almost 20 years confined, he uses his energy to emote hope, warmth, and beauty. Details not covered in his TedTalk you should know are; inside his prison he was elected as the President of Toastmasters by his peers. He has attended college and is hoping to major in the field of social work so that he may help others. In all 19 years of incarceration, he has had zero fights, no violence, and no staff misconduct. He works for the Mail Room, which is a prestigious job in prison, awarded only to select inmates. He is a trained tutor, helping fellow residents get their GED. Some of his proudest achievements include creating two groups at his facility, G.R.O.W.T.H. (Gaining Restraint Over Wrong Thinking Habits)and E.D.U.C.A.T.E.(Entering Discussions Using Communication And Teaching Everyone) to help his peers grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This is the man Rapheal is today, and with all of his attributes, I believe society would be better served with him out of prison, out here right now.
Last year, Rapheal contacted his original lawyer for some paperwork, and his lawyer admitted that he advised Rapheal improperly by failing to tell him some of his constitutional rights. The lawyer further stated he would draw up an affidavit attesting to these facts and submit it to an appeals lawyer. The problem is the appellate fee for this type of case is $7,500. Have we not seen enough injustices done to Black men? Especially by a system seemingly designed to disproportionately lock them up. Rapheal's lawyer took his family, his money, then sacrificed his rights and ultimately his life. We can protest in the streets and paint the pavement with slogans that inspire, but until we come together to change what is wrong, nothing will ever change. Rapheal deserves his freedom. He has evolved into the type of man that you would be happy to call your coworker, neighbor, and even friend. We cannot undo every inhumanity inflicted upon Black people in our society, but Rapheal is one of the many Black men we can tangibly help today. Thus, I am organizing this fundraiser on Rapheal's behalf. The full 100% of funds raised will go to Rapheal's lawyer and towards expenses necessary for his release. I am hoping that there are people out there who, like me, will empathize with the hardships Rapheal has faced and who believe he deserves to be free.
The US makes up 4% of the world's entire population but our prisons make up 40% of the world's incarcerated population. Nineteen years in prison is a very long time, especially in this case. Please join us in donating to Rapheal's fundraiser and sharing my friend Rapheal's story. I'll be keeping him updated on his fundraising, and I encourage anyone reading this to write him via JPay or physical mail.
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Kerrington Cai
Organizer
Austin, TX
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