Words from a broken one: "All I needed was an explanation, not medication"

We publish here an extract of a blog article written by Clinton Lee Young, a prisoner currently facing imminent execution in Texas on October 26, 2017. In this article, Clinton Lee Young discusses how lack of support and stigmatization at a young age led him to rebel and make poor choices in life.

My name is Clinton Lee Young. I was born July 19th, 1983 in Mount Pleasant, Texas. I was born premature due to my mothers stress induced hypertension, my fathers emotional, mental and physical abuse being the contributing factor.

The events surrounding my birth seemed to have a life of struggle for me. My mother left my father shortly after my birth. He later kidnapped me to use me for ransom. The cost for my mother to get me back was for her to sign an agreement that she would not seek child support.

(...) Growing up as a child in a small community, with no children my age, I always thought older then I was. (...) I was always considered to be with above average intelligence. I was very receptive of my environment. I was aware of my parents being divorced and why. I also was aware of the fact that I would never have a ‘ loving relationship’ with my stepfather, which is sadly not uncommon for stepparents. At this age I had very limited interaction with my older brothers. In short, I knew there was lots of stuff wrong. Though I lacked the emotional maturity to adequately process it.

I then had a first grade teacher who allowed her conflict with my mother, to spill over to her way of treating me (my mother had went to the same school). The teacher for example called me stupid in front of the whole class. All because I couldn’t spell a word, as a 6 year old.

My response was to rebel against her and I would tear up my spelling books. Their response was to label me as ADHD and place me on powerful stimulant medication, known as Ritalin.

There began the spiral of stigmatization and feelings of being treated as if I was ‘ abnormal and broken’. As a child I only wanted what everyone wanted, love and acceptance along with attention and recognition.

My conflicts with school officials would frustrate my mother. My stepfather's drinking was getting worse. The spiral spun faster, I began bouncing between my parents.

Looking back and having the knowledge I now do, all I needed was understanding and explanation, not medication!

Though sadly in the US the pharmaceutical companies hustle pills like a drug cartel.

It has been reported that the doctors are now giving 2 year old children Ritalin.

Never mind the fact that those pills now require warning labels. As they have been found to cause psychotic episodes in children. I was never considered an evil or even a mean child.

I got along with many of my teachers in school. The common thread was the all treated me normal and like every other child. One of these teachers I still am in contact with. She has been to visit me.

My favorite subjects in school were always history and science related. When I was 14, I took a class in Sociology. It has held my interest since then. I like to study how different groups interact and the ways that different cultures have developed. The one great aspect of coming to death row, is that i have gotten to interact with people from all over the world, exchanging letters and some even having coming to visit me! (..)

My life exposed me to many different elements that have shaped me into the man I am today. The adversity has made me stronger. Though having been locked up at such young age, I have been on death row since I was 19 years old. I not only fight for my life, I also fight for "a life", the life I have never truly got to live.

The song "Song for a Stranger", tells the story of prisoner Clinton Lee Young, The artist, Elya has set the tone of what she wants to add into this world through her music; human connection. She's an advocate of the idea that together we can make a difference.

If I end up losing, the blessing is that I was able to love & be loved by some wonderful people. Also that I was able to inspire others.

Plus, I will get to express feelings & love to my friends & family. I think that is one thing that many here overlook. It is easy to only see the world through our own eyes. (...) If they do get me, I will have impacted so many more people around the world than I ever would have had I not come here.

Clinton YOUNG #999447

Polunsky Unit 3872 FM 350 south Livingston TX 77351

P.S .*ATTENTION* If you write me for first time with jpay, I have to have address or I can not respond.I can not respond with jpay.