Publishers’ Note
Many pieces in this issue were originally intended for a future issue of the Northwestern Insider, a project to which Michael was deeply committed.
For that issue, we had planned to include multiple pieces around Michael’s debut novel, One Foot In, including an excerpt, an interview Michael had with Stateville student Dré Patterson, and a response to One Foot In from Logan student Erika Ray. You will find those pieces, along with an original poem by Michael, “These Cell Walls Speak,” in the coming pages.
Michael also considered contributing something more personal in response to the second issue’s theme: health and wellness. He was hesitant at first, knowing the emotional difficulty of sharing his personal health struggles while incarcerated. Yet, he persisted and wrote “Patient, Not Prisoner,” now published here.
Tony Triplett’s essay, “My Brother and I, United in Struggle,” reflecting on the health and wellness struggles he shared with Michael during their time as cellmates, is also published here. Michael's death prompted several of his classmates and friends to write new poems and essays. This issue includes work by D.C. Crite, Lynn Green, and Yaphet Davis.
Finally, we've gathered heartfelt memories from Michael's classmates, friends, professors, and others who knew him well in NPEP, along with some background on this issue’s cover from NPEP graduate and artist, Anthony Ehlers.
We hope these reflections provide comfort and a deeper understanding of the profound impact Michael had on all of us.
Colin Hanner & Barbara Shwom
Publishers, Northwestern Insider
