A Modern Day Scarlet Letter
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

A Modern Day Scarlet Letter

It's been more than 300 years, but does it still exist?

4768
A Modern Day Scarlet Letter
Creative Action

On February 21, 2007, Rodney White stepped back into freedom after 15 years and six months in a federal prison in Richmond, Virginia. He went back to school and earned a degree in Paralegal Studies, and began applying for jobs. However, three of the companies he applied to refused to even let him interview, because he checked the box that asked if he was ever convicted for a crime. In Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne presents Hester Prynne, a character that is heavily judged and discriminated because of one mistake in the past. However, this happened around 1650. Does the so called “scarlet letter” still apply to a certain group of people today? The answer is a resounding yes; ex-convicts are the wearers of the modern day scarlet letter.

Perhaps the greatest parallel between society in the 1650s and 2016 is the burden of a single mother convicted of a crime. Hester was a single mother convicted of adultery, and the burdens she had to face in raising her child were innumerable. At one point, the governor wanted to take Pearl away from Hester just because he thought Hester would be a bad influence on her. Luckily, and with a bit of convincing from Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester was able to keep her child. But many ex-convicts can’t say the same. Ex-convicts are generally unable to find housing, rejected from colleges, and denied job opportunities just because of one mistake int eh past. Additionally, The Adoption and Safe Families Act was passed in 1997 to allow for children of incarcerated parents to be adopted rather than put in foster homes. However, many ex-convicts are unable to regain the rights to their biological child. For that reason, many incarcerated single mothers place their children in dangerous foster homes just to avoid the risk of losing custody once their sentence is over. For example, one single mother in Los Angeles was sentenced for armed robbery, but it turned out that the items she stole were formula mix and diapers for her three-month old baby. The fact that she would be arrested and be in jail for up to five years because she was trying to take care of her baby is one that shows ex-convicts are the bearers of today’s scarlet letter, as one bad deed in the past led to the lifetime of sorrow that is losing a child.

Though the culture has changed from 1650 to 2016, moral judgement has not budged an inch. Ex-convicts are branded by their past behaviors, and for that reason are unable to find housing, education, employment, and take care of their own children. But to what avail? The system just forces ex-convicts into a deeper life of crime, because they lose the opportunity to make a good life for themselves and lose the people they love the most. Their communities don’t treat them with respect, they feel as though they have lost their dignity, and they have no way to climb up the social ranks. The criminal justice system in the United States is something that absolutely has to change, as they are the wearers of 2016’s scarlet letter, and we hope they can remove that awful mark as fast as possible.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71014
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132584
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments