Perception

I felt led to write about the topic of perception. The word kept showing up in my conversations, each time with a little extra brightness, which I’ve learned to recognize as God nudging me to pay closer attention. So, I started to reflect on what perception really means and why it matters.

The Stigma Attached to Perception

One area close to my heart is the way society perceives people who have been incarcerated or labeled as a felon, and the stigma that is attached. Too often, society views felons only through the lens of their past mistakes, which leads to stigma, discrimination, and barriers rather than greater chances to stable housing, gainful employment, and community involvement. In my research, I discovered that the stigma surrounding those who are classified as felons harms self-esteem, worsens mental health, increases isolation for community participation, and decreases motivation and self-efficacy, making it almost impossible to move forward and succeed.

Commit to Seeing Beyond Labels

If we want stronger, safer, and more compassionate communities, we need to challenge these perceptions. That starts with curiosity instead of assumptions, empathy instead of judgment, and support instead of exclusion. When people are given the chance to heal, grow, and contribute, everyone benefits. Let’s commit to seeing beyond the labels and start being honest about our perceptions. Recognize the potential in every person because we all make mistakes, most break the law in some way every day, but don’t get caught. If you are a driver who goes over the speed limit, you are breaking the law. If you accidentally walk out of the grocery store forgetting to pay for an item and decide not to return to the store to pay for the product, you have just committed theft. Everyone DESERVES the chance to HEAL, and when they have paid the price for committing a crime and finished the sentence they were given, it needs to stop there. Removing a person’s RIGHTS shouldn’t be something we do, especially when it lasts a lifetime. When do we finally consider someone as having “served their time” or “made right their wrong?”

Be a part of the change, not the problem. Perception has power. Please ensure that your perception is based on accurate knowledge and facts. Thanks for reading and walking this journey with us!

For additional resources, visit:

• The Effect of Stigma on Criminal Offenders’ Functioning: A Longitudinal Mediation Model

• Factors that Affect our Perception of Someone