“I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.”
– Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison (1952)
This year, the 24th of July marks the 18th anniversary of Thomas Bartlett Whitaker’s first ever post on Minutes Before Six (MB6). To help commemorate this massive milestone, we are holding a special fundraiser, which we hope you – as readers, supporters and followers of our work over all these years – will please consider contributing to. Every donation makes a difference, no matter the amount!!
As most of you will already be aware, Thomas started MB6 as a means to journal his time on Death Row in Texas. However, what began as one 27-year-old’s intention to chronicle their limited days left on this earth – to chart their experiences and evolution, and to share their most intimate and confronting thoughts and reflections on life (and death) – has become a platform for hundreds of incarcerated people across all parts of the United States to express themselves and reveal such an incredible and impressive depth of talent and thoughtfulness.
MB6 takes pride in being a conduit for a complex population of individuals who are intentionally hidden from public view, stigmatized, and often left voiceless. While we, of course, do not condone illegal acts; we also, absolutely, respect individuals’ basic human rights and hope that, through our work, we can make some meaningful difference in the lives of those who we work with, their loved ones, and others who have a curiosity about the criminal justice system and/or the amazing works we help to share with the rest of the world.
If, for any reason, you are unable to donate via the current Facebook fundraiser, please consider making a contribution via PayPal or sending us a check.
On behalf of all the remarkable people that make MB6 possible – from our brilliant contributors, to our invaluable team of volunteers, to our loyal supporters – we are so grateful to everyone and what you have helped create, and we look forward to what else we are able to do together and achieve in future.
We also take this opportunity to recognize and remember all of those people who we have lost on this challenging journey. Peace.
To read the first-ever post on Minutes Before Six by Thomas Bartlett Whitaker, click here
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