I went to the Eno River Arts Event last Friday night. Impartial's artwork is part of their show and of course, I wanted to be supportive. There was a good crowd there for the space they had. I would say at least 100 people in a couple of rooms and more outside among the entertainment and information booths.
I looked around the space and was first drawn to our artwork and seeing how it blended in with the show overall. The display was well thought out with a combination of stories, artwork and more.
There was a space there that recreated a solitary confinement cell. As I poked my head in to see what it was, a young woman was in there sitting on a cot. I felt like I was intruding as our eyes only met for a few seconds before I felt I shouldn't step in the space.
I went on to take some pictures of the show and to talk to various people quickly. As I turned to leave, I came face to face with the same person again. I took the chance now out of the solitary confinement cell to apologize. I explained that I felt that I intruded and hoped I didn't disturb her. She was particularly soft spoken.
She explained to me that “it brought back so many memories”. To which, I must have looked a bit surprised. She went on to talk briefly about her feelings. I just let her talk. I had nothing to say and a lot to learn. This person was probably not more than 30 years old and had spent time in solitary confinement that undoubtedly had a profound effect on her for the rest of her life.
Being isolated with “nothing” is something that most of us couldn't imagine. I don't know that I could appreciate to any significant extent what that must feel like. Total detachment from everything in our lives… people, places, things is unfathomable to most anyone outside of prison.
She didn't mention how long she was in solitary or prison, but her body shuddered periodically as she spoke to me. Her body said what her words couldn't. She still had some processing to do before solitary was carefully placed in her past or maybe that's not possible. I think I had a slight smile of encouragement on my face and I hope that she felt that.
I don't know what she did to be in prison, and she could be one of the 5-10% (estimated) people that are in prison that were found guilty but not guilty or that were actually innocent. I didn't ask and she didn't offer.
What I do know is solitary confinement would change me and would likely change you. It wouldn't take long for me to feel the weight of “nothing”. It wouldn't take long for me to appreciate humanity in a new way.
The show will continue for about a month at the Eno River Arts Center in Hillsborough, NC. I hope that each person who can visit can talk to someone like I did. She is the reason Impartial exists. Our encounter was a great reminder of our shared humanity.
