Who I Am

Our worst mistake does not define who we are...we start this time and time again in counseling and recovery, but I think it’s true for all of us. Think about it, do you want to be defined by your worst mistake you’ve made for the rest of your life?

I’ve personally been labeled many things both good and bad in my 62 years…a good student, good athlete, good caretaker good friend...then it became a college dropout, that lesbian, drug user, convict. After four decades in prison, labels have changed. I’ve started changing them early on...I became a worship leader, a role model, a mentor...but do any of these even say who I am?

I have come full circle, just as many have, found a level of wholeness if you will. The negative labels should drop, right? Not always but….I am also a loving daughter, a sister, aunt, great aunt, friend, even though I don’t get to fulfill those roles much from in here. I’m a Christian, a human being, a redeemed soul, no matter what the labels are.

If you were like me you were raised to believe that taking God's name in vain meant using a curse word with it. The truth is if you’re a Believer, taking the Lord's name in vain, especially Christians, is when you do racist, sexist, bigoted, hateful things and say you’re doing the Lord’s work. {Hmmph)

The Lord's work is forgiveness, helping others, and lifting someone up who has made changes in their life. You bring them back into your love and your help. A meaningful life is not built on continued labels or continued punishment. When our choices start to reflect our values, when our words and actions bring peace not pain, when my life I am creating, even here in prison for decades, it is one of honor to others then I have a meaningful life, a worthy life, not labels. Life has true value for all of us.

The painful years reminded me to change and grow. Then there were days of joy and achievements, reminding me I am more than labels that people put on me. Justice and myself held me accountable. But now I think it’s time to recognize transformation, remorse, growth, compassion, grace, heart. That we’re all one and we have good values and characters even from in here. Don’t treat me or anybody else by a label or differences.

This is Karen and this is who I am. Please don't treat me by labels or differences. 

Karen Brown M.Ed. has been incarcerated since February 1986. She is currently a correspondent for PrisonRadio.org. Karen's commentary Who I Am was posted on 7/27/2026 and can also be heard on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.