Prison Professors With Michael Santos

111. Earning Freedom with Michael Santos   Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term (1.2)   I’m reading from chapter 1 of my book, Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term   For more information, visit PrisonProfessors.com         ******* “¿Que Onda?” Another man is locked in the same cell. Cuban, I presume from his accent. He stands by a waist-high metal locker in boxer shorts, staring at me. He looks like a thug. We’re the same height, though he is heavier, with more fat than muscle. Crudely drawn tattoos look like chicken scratches across his arms and torso. I nod. “¿De donde eres?” He wants to engage me. “I don’t speak Spanish.” “What is you, white?” He speaks in English this time. The man’s question bothers me.  I think of myself as an American, un-hyphenated by ethnicity. “I am what I am.” “I thought you was Cuban.” “My dad’s Cuban.” “So why the fuck you don’t speak Spanish?” “I speak English.” I’m ready for this guy’s challenge, if that’s what he wants. “Where you from?” “I’m from Seattle.” “You a cop