How reading can transform your life (w/ Reginald Dwayne Betts)

“We have tried to create a system devoid of beauty, and it has failed. We have never tried to create a system that is replete with beauty and ask us what it might do.” Reginald Dwayne Betts is a poet, a lawyer, and a prison reform advocate. In this episode, he joins Chris to discuss the detrimental effects of prison systems and how lack of resources and the lack of beauty in prison perpetuates dehumanization. Reginald and Chris also share their favorite poems and books and discuss Reginald’s work with the Freedom Library to bring books to prisoners and correction officers.Poems and Books MentionedFrom the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. KonigsburgFree Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Leewon’t you celebrate with me by Lucille CliftonThose Winter Sundays by Robert HaydenFailing and Flying by Jack GilbertThe Forgotten Dialect of the Heart by Jack GilbertA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towlesunder a soprano sky by Sonia SanchezFor Freckle-Faced Gerald by Etheridge KnightFeatured guestFollow Reginald on Instagram, LinkedIn, and at FreedomReads.orgBuy Felon: Poems and Doggerel: PoemsConnect with the teamFollow Chris on Instagram and at chrisduffycomedy.comBuy Chris’ book, Humor Me Watch How to Be a Better Human videos on YouTube at TEDPodsFollow TED on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTokFor the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscriptsFill out our survey at bit.ly/BHSurvey6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.