This month, Eddie Gibbs became the first formerly incarcerated state lawmaker to be elected to a full term in New York, bringing a perspective unlike many of his peers in Albany. “There's a bunch of men and women who are relying on my experience.'
For years, Gibbs spent his free time organizing clothing drives, Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas toy giveaways for the community. In 2017, he was elected to the volunteer role of District Leader for East Harlem. He held that position until this January, when he won a special election for the 68th district in the state assembly.
But While Gibbs’s election is a powerful symbol of redemption for some, for Frazier’s sister, Janice Murrell, it is a reminder that her brother can never have a second chance. She doesn’t believe Gibbs is truly sorry. “It would've been much easier if he would've did it years ago — not to do it because you’re running for office,” Murrell said. “Do it because you're sincere and it's coming from your heart, and you're really sorry for what you did — not just to make you look good.”
Especially in communities that are traumatized by generations of violence, sociologist and trained social worker Lewis Zuchman said people can be both victims and perpetrators of violence. And he thinks that's true in this case. Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs dances with constituents at a senior appreciation luncheon at the Taino Towers in East Harlem on October 17.Zuchman said violence stems from big, societal failures. Trauma. Young brains that aren’t fully developed. While he doesn’t think that should excuse Gibbs’ or anyone else’s actions, he believes people deserve the opportunity to learn from even their worst mistakes.
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