My visit with Herman Bell.

[robert40]

This is a story that I would like to share with those interested.
It's about a incident that happened long ago and even though it was tragic at the time its a story on how a bad situation can turn into a very possitive one.
For those of you that are not aware of who Herman Bell is, I have included a link below. Also one can find more information by any online search.

http://www.prisonactivist.org/pps+pows/bell.html

Let me start this by giving a little information about myself. I am a Caucasian male in my early forties who has been married for '16 years', and has three children. I met my wife while incarcerated which started as a pen pal relationship.
My story is not that unusual. I'm sure you heard it before. I was a only child, son of a single parent, growing up in Paterson and Newark NJ. So it was very easy to go down the wrong road. From the time I was forteen to twenty-seven I was not in the street one full year.
But let me get to my story. While I was incarcerated in Great Meadow Correctional Facility, in New York state, in the mid 80's there was an African American man who moved on to my company, a few cells from me.
Rumor had it that he was the real deal. But as one knows, you really don't ask someone what they are in for, and I was not interested anyway.
So a few months go by and this man who's name was Herman started a conversation here and there, mostly regarding reading material in which we exchange books. So one day while laying in my cell with nothing to read, I yelled down to Herman " Hey Herm, what do you got to read." He said "really nothing." But as one thing led to another he said " well I got one book. I'll slide it down to you, but read it with a open mind, and take it with a grain of salt. I said " whats it about Herm." He responded "me." He slid the book down and I picked it up. The title was Badge of the Assassin. The back cover stated on how Herman was a member of the BLA in the early 70's, and was sent to New York to kill cops. My response was Oh Shit to myself. This must be what all the talk was about. But this was what he was accussed of, and it is not my place to discuss this on a forum, or anywhere for that matter. As I am only stating the information on the book. So within the next few months Herman and I got to be very good friends. He is a very intellegent man, with a lifetime of knowledge, and our discussions led from everything from life to racism. I am sure he would of gave me the shirt of his back if I would have needed it. As time went by I seen and made the parole board. And after I say to Herman, " I am going to come back and visit you, an bring you a little food package. His response was " Oh sure Bob." I told him "trust me. I keep my word." So sure enough after I am out a week, I go back to visit Herman with my mother. Brought him the food package I told him, and had an outstanding visit. Let me take a break in the story here to be honest and state that I knew it was against my parole rules to visit anyone. Yes, I knew this, but I had know idea of the severity of the outcome. A few days later I'm walking out my house to face a half a dozen guns pointing at me. I had no idea what this was for, till I saw my parole officer in which he states I violated my parole by visiting Herman Bell. And it was not the fact that I visited an inmate, but that I visited a cop killer. I got sent back for two more years after this. In the mean time I lost my house, my mother died in a nursing home of cancer. But I got married during this time, and stepped out to a fantastic woman. But everything I new before was gone.
So you may ask now what possible good came out of this? Well Herman touched my life. He made me a better man, in the short time I new him. And I likely would of not met my wife, if I had not gone back.
I grew up in the inner city, and was against racism all my life. But Herman opened my eyes to so many things that I was never aware of. I don't regret visiting Herman. And if I had the chance to do it all over again, I would do the same. I pass on to my children now to treat all as equal, thanks to Herman.
In the recent book The Five People You Meet In Heaven it states how one can touch the lives of people without even knowing. Even though Herman has spent over thirty years in prison, he still touches lives, and he may not even know it.
Herman seen the parole board at the beginning of the year, and was denied. Which could be expected. They likely will never let him out.
Thank You for letting me share this story with all.
Robert

[Wingy]

Thanks for sharing your story, Robert..and congratulations on your marriage and life. We find our lifes lessons in the strangest places sometimes...from people it took real hard work to ignore, to people that did you so dirty you would have liked to see them dead or at least severely maimed. Oftentimes, we dont realize how they touched our lives until much later. Another reason why we must be grateful for the lessons.

[outlawsdeb]

It always amazes me how one person can change another persons life and not even know it. What a wonderful story and hopw lucky you were to meet and basically learn from this man.

[amstaffdad]

Thanks for sharing this story I know Herman Bell personally served time in Clinton Correctional Facility with him, and he actually played on a football team with me at one time while there. He isnt the only person to get a raw deal in New York State, just read my intro, and many other stories in New York. Glad he touched your life and hopefully some day he will again be free.

[robert40]

Originally Posted by amstaffdad

Thanks for sharing this story I know Herman Bell personally served time in Clinton Correctional Facility with him, and he actually played on a football team with me at one time while there. He isnt the only person to get a raw deal in New York State, just read my intro, and many other stories in New York. Glad he touched your life and hopefully some day he will again be free.

I've heard a many tale of Herman's football story's from Clinton.
He really enjoyed it and hated the fact that Comstock's yard was black topped and had no team.

I forgot to add in my story above that Herman even offered to hire a lawyer out off his own pocket to defend me at the parole hearing. Of course I turned down the offer but it show's the type of man he is.

I will for sure check out intro, I was also in Clinton for a short time. I can still feel the bone chilling cold just thinking about it.

[bbacic]

Thanks for telling your story it really touched my heart and I saw that movie "the five people we meet in Heaven" I loved it and it is so true and that you may never know that person that may change your life forever. Good Luck to you and may God bless!

[Dixee]

Wow!

What an inspiring story. That was a great read ..just goes to show you that friendship/love know.... no bounderies.
Thanks for sharing!

Dixee