Surrounded by centuries old pine trees is Prox. A dull copper building that has already turned algae green from weathering. The structure seems at home amongst the trees other people’s ancestors would have walked by and perhaps they too gently caressed the flaking bark. Prox was built several years ago after many disputes, but here it stands in the clearing where my grandfather was lynched.
Glen was taken from our home in Wisconsin and placed in Prox. He was considered a suitable candidate for their schooling. My brother was twelve years old, athletic and innocent when he was taken, but now I think I would be incapable of recognising him. I hear stories on the local radio station about what past students go on to do. Billy Kendrick from Minneapolis shot his father. Suzie Prince from Utah killed herself. Norma Welch from Arizona drowned her baby sister. I know I should pray to God that it were me in his place but I can’t. It is a place no one wants to be sent to but we all know it’s a duty we have to our country.
Prox is a school where students and criminals live side by side. Where children become the stimuli for sexual offenders.
