One of my favorite podcasts, Only a Game — a sports podcast on NPR, is going to stop production this Fall. As part of the lead up to production ending, they're re-sharing some of their favorite segments. Today I listened to a segment from 2018 and it really inspired me. It was the story of Valentino Dixon. In brief:
In the early 1990s Valentino Dixon was falsely accused and convicted of murder. The prosecutor pursued the case even though multiple witnesses came forward to say he didn't do it AND someone else confessed. The prosecutor was so vindictive he even had the witnessed who were pro-Dixon charged with perjury. This, of course, silenced other witnesses from coming forward. The defense attorney was no better. He visited Dixon only once during the 10 months he was in prison prior to trial. And the defense attorney waived his right to an opening statement during trial.
After several years in prison, Dixon started drawing. And based on a request from the warden and a suggestion from a friend, he started drawing golf courses. He wrote a letter to Golf Digest, which had a column called, "Golf Saved My Life." The Golf Digest Editorial Director read it and went to see him in prison. After they published Dixon's article in Golf Digest, the struggle to get him released from prison began. In 2018 he was released. He spent 27 years behind bars.
You can read about how art saved him on his website. You can also buy one of the 1500 colored pencil drawings he did while in prison — prints and originals. Here are a few of them:
I found his story enraging and inspiring. I hope you do too.
If you want to read more about him:
Thanks for stopping by!
I am so glad you shared this … my hubby & son are golfers and had not heard of Valentine or his story. Not surprised as I delve into my anti-racism work, this story really touched my heart and I know I have so much more to learn/unlearn. I love how expansive your interests are and that you take the time to share with all of us …. deeply appreciate it.
I am so glad you shared this … my hubby & son are golfers and had not heard of Valentine or his story. Not surprised as I delve into my anti-racism work, this story really touched my heart and I know I have so much more to learn/unlearn. I love how expansive your interests are and that you take the time to share with all of us …. deeply appreciate it.
I am so glad you shared this … my hubby & son are golfers and had not heard of Valentine or his story. Not surprised as I delve into my anti-racism work, this story really touched my heart and I know I have so much more to learn/unlearn. I love how expansive your interests are and that you take the time to share with all of us …. deeply appreciate it.
I am so glad you shared this … my hubby & son are golfers and had not heard of Valentine or his story. Not surprised as I delve into my anti-racism work, this story really touched my heart and I know I have so much more to learn/unlearn. I love how expansive your interests are and that you take the time to share with all of us …. deeply appreciate it.
I am so glad you shared this … my hubby & son are golfers and had not heard of Valentine or his story. Not surprised as I delve into my anti-racism work, this story really touched my heart and I know I have so much more to learn/unlearn. I love how expansive your interests are and that you take the time to share with all of us …. deeply appreciate it.
I am so glad you shared this … my hubby & son are golfers and had not heard of Valentine or his story. Not surprised as I delve into my anti-racism work, this story really touched my heart and I know I have so much more to learn/unlearn. I love how expansive your interests are and that you take the time to share with all of us …. deeply appreciate it.
I am so glad you shared this … my hubby & son are golfers and had not heard of Valentine or his story. Not surprised as I delve into my anti-racism work, this story really touched my heart and I know I have so much more to learn/unlearn. I love how expansive your interests are and that you take the time to share with all of us …. deeply appreciate it.
Julie, you are MORE than you realize !! Sharing this incredible story along with his art has been a real eye-opener for me as well. I humbly thank YOU and God…. let’s all stop and let this sink in……..xoxo
Julie, you are MORE than you realize !! Sharing this incredible story along with his art has been a real eye-opener for me as well. I humbly thank YOU and God…. let’s all stop and let this sink in……..xoxo
Julie, you are MORE than you realize !! Sharing this incredible story along with his art has been a real eye-opener for me as well. I humbly thank YOU and God…. let’s all stop and let this sink in……..xoxo
Julie, you are MORE than you realize !! Sharing this incredible story along with his art has been a real eye-opener for me as well. I humbly thank YOU and God…. let’s all stop and let this sink in……..xoxo
Julie, you are MORE than you realize !! Sharing this incredible story along with his art has been a real eye-opener for me as well. I humbly thank YOU and God…. let’s all stop and let this sink in……..xoxo
Julie, you are MORE than you realize !! Sharing this incredible story along with his art has been a real eye-opener for me as well. I humbly thank YOU and God…. let’s all stop and let this sink in……..xoxo
Julie, you are MORE than you realize !! Sharing this incredible story along with his art has been a real eye-opener for me as well. I humbly thank YOU and God…. let’s all stop and let this sink in……..xoxo
reading this still in bed slowly waking up. now fully awake and stunned, know I shouldn’t be, mr Valentino dixon isn’t the first injustice I’ve heard of and I know perfect world is impossible but we need to do better.
reading this still in bed slowly waking up. now fully awake and stunned, know I shouldn’t be, mr Valentino dixon isn’t the first injustice I’ve heard of and I know perfect world is impossible but we need to do better.
reading this still in bed slowly waking up. now fully awake and stunned, know I shouldn’t be, mr Valentino dixon isn’t the first injustice I’ve heard of and I know perfect world is impossible but we need to do better.
reading this still in bed slowly waking up. now fully awake and stunned, know I shouldn’t be, mr Valentino dixon isn’t the first injustice I’ve heard of and I know perfect world is impossible but we need to do better.
reading this still in bed slowly waking up. now fully awake and stunned, know I shouldn’t be, mr Valentino dixon isn’t the first injustice I’ve heard of and I know perfect world is impossible but we need to do better.
reading this still in bed slowly waking up. now fully awake and stunned, know I shouldn’t be, mr Valentino dixon isn’t the first injustice I’ve heard of and I know perfect world is impossible but we need to do better.
reading this still in bed slowly waking up. now fully awake and stunned, know I shouldn’t be, mr Valentino dixon isn’t the first injustice I’ve heard of and I know perfect world is impossible but we need to do better.
Wow… So much precious talent wasted because of others’ racist judgments. I worked as an art psychotherapist with many black, Hispanic and Native American men who were imprisoned for life and made to feel profound shame and ugly because of their skin color. Many were highly intelligent and talented individuals!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story and beautifully rendered art. I am so grateful for all that you share and your broad mindedness, not to mention creativity!
Wow… So much precious talent wasted because of others’ racist judgments. I worked as an art psychotherapist with many black, Hispanic and Native American men who were imprisoned for life and made to feel profound shame and ugly because of their skin color. Many were highly intelligent and talented individuals!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story and beautifully rendered art. I am so grateful for all that you share and your broad mindedness, not to mention creativity!
Wow… So much precious talent wasted because of others’ racist judgments. I worked as an art psychotherapist with many black, Hispanic and Native American men who were imprisoned for life and made to feel profound shame and ugly because of their skin color. Many were highly intelligent and talented individuals!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story and beautifully rendered art. I am so grateful for all that you share and your broad mindedness, not to mention creativity!
Wow… So much precious talent wasted because of others’ racist judgments. I worked as an art psychotherapist with many black, Hispanic and Native American men who were imprisoned for life and made to feel profound shame and ugly because of their skin color. Many were highly intelligent and talented individuals!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story and beautifully rendered art. I am so grateful for all that you share and your broad mindedness, not to mention creativity!
Wow… So much precious talent wasted because of others’ racist judgments. I worked as an art psychotherapist with many black, Hispanic and Native American men who were imprisoned for life and made to feel profound shame and ugly because of their skin color. Many were highly intelligent and talented individuals!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story and beautifully rendered art. I am so grateful for all that you share and your broad mindedness, not to mention creativity!
Wow… So much precious talent wasted because of others’ racist judgments. I worked as an art psychotherapist with many black, Hispanic and Native American men who were imprisoned for life and made to feel profound shame and ugly because of their skin color. Many were highly intelligent and talented individuals!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story and beautifully rendered art. I am so grateful for all that you share and your broad mindedness, not to mention creativity!
Wow… So much precious talent wasted because of others’ racist judgments. I worked as an art psychotherapist with many black, Hispanic and Native American men who were imprisoned for life and made to feel profound shame and ugly because of their skin color. Many were highly intelligent and talented individuals!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story and beautifully rendered art. I am so grateful for all that you share and your broad mindedness, not to mention creativity!
Fascinating, and infuriating. Was the original prosecutor ever charged?! He should be robbed of 27 years of his life (and time from his children, if he has any).
I realize that in addition to shining a light on injustice, the other point of this post is to show the power (and therapy) that exists in art & art making. Thank you for sharing such a moving story, Julie.
Fascinating, and infuriating. Was the original prosecutor ever charged?! He should be robbed of 27 years of his life (and time from his children, if he has any).
I realize that in addition to shining a light on injustice, the other point of this post is to show the power (and therapy) that exists in art & art making. Thank you for sharing such a moving story, Julie.
Fascinating, and infuriating. Was the original prosecutor ever charged?! He should be robbed of 27 years of his life (and time from his children, if he has any).
I realize that in addition to shining a light on injustice, the other point of this post is to show the power (and therapy) that exists in art & art making. Thank you for sharing such a moving story, Julie.
Fascinating, and infuriating. Was the original prosecutor ever charged?! He should be robbed of 27 years of his life (and time from his children, if he has any).
I realize that in addition to shining a light on injustice, the other point of this post is to show the power (and therapy) that exists in art & art making. Thank you for sharing such a moving story, Julie.
Fascinating, and infuriating. Was the original prosecutor ever charged?! He should be robbed of 27 years of his life (and time from his children, if he has any).
I realize that in addition to shining a light on injustice, the other point of this post is to show the power (and therapy) that exists in art & art making. Thank you for sharing such a moving story, Julie.
Fascinating, and infuriating. Was the original prosecutor ever charged?! He should be robbed of 27 years of his life (and time from his children, if he has any).
I realize that in addition to shining a light on injustice, the other point of this post is to show the power (and therapy) that exists in art & art making. Thank you for sharing such a moving story, Julie.
Fascinating, and infuriating. Was the original prosecutor ever charged?! He should be robbed of 27 years of his life (and time from his children, if he has any).
I realize that in addition to shining a light on injustice, the other point of this post is to show the power (and therapy) that exists in art & art making. Thank you for sharing such a moving story, Julie.
Thank you for posting this Julie. I scoured his website and continue to be amazed by his situation, talent, spirit. His is an amazing story. It is inconceivable that a District Attorney would be so negligent. I can only imagine he had bias that allowed him to neglect evidence so immediately available. I’m saddened by the number of innocent men this happens to who are still imprisoned. Maybe his story will help bring more attention to these injustices and lead to more releases. With consciousness on the rise, I can only hope these wrongful convictions become a thing of the past sooner rather than later.
Thank you for posting this Julie. I scoured his website and continue to be amazed by his situation, talent, spirit. His is an amazing story. It is inconceivable that a District Attorney would be so negligent. I can only imagine he had bias that allowed him to neglect evidence so immediately available. I’m saddened by the number of innocent men this happens to who are still imprisoned. Maybe his story will help bring more attention to these injustices and lead to more releases. With consciousness on the rise, I can only hope these wrongful convictions become a thing of the past sooner rather than later.
Thank you for posting this Julie. I scoured his website and continue to be amazed by his situation, talent, spirit. His is an amazing story. It is inconceivable that a District Attorney would be so negligent. I can only imagine he had bias that allowed him to neglect evidence so immediately available. I’m saddened by the number of innocent men this happens to who are still imprisoned. Maybe his story will help bring more attention to these injustices and lead to more releases. With consciousness on the rise, I can only hope these wrongful convictions become a thing of the past sooner rather than later.
Thank you for posting this Julie. I scoured his website and continue to be amazed by his situation, talent, spirit. His is an amazing story. It is inconceivable that a District Attorney would be so negligent. I can only imagine he had bias that allowed him to neglect evidence so immediately available. I’m saddened by the number of innocent men this happens to who are still imprisoned. Maybe his story will help bring more attention to these injustices and lead to more releases. With consciousness on the rise, I can only hope these wrongful convictions become a thing of the past sooner rather than later.
Thank you for posting this Julie. I scoured his website and continue to be amazed by his situation, talent, spirit. His is an amazing story. It is inconceivable that a District Attorney would be so negligent. I can only imagine he had bias that allowed him to neglect evidence so immediately available. I’m saddened by the number of innocent men this happens to who are still imprisoned. Maybe his story will help bring more attention to these injustices and lead to more releases. With consciousness on the rise, I can only hope these wrongful convictions become a thing of the past sooner rather than later.
Thank you for posting this Julie. I scoured his website and continue to be amazed by his situation, talent, spirit. His is an amazing story. It is inconceivable that a District Attorney would be so negligent. I can only imagine he had bias that allowed him to neglect evidence so immediately available. I’m saddened by the number of innocent men this happens to who are still imprisoned. Maybe his story will help bring more attention to these injustices and lead to more releases. With consciousness on the rise, I can only hope these wrongful convictions become a thing of the past sooner rather than later.
Thank you for posting this Julie. I scoured his website and continue to be amazed by his situation, talent, spirit. His is an amazing story. It is inconceivable that a District Attorney would be so negligent. I can only imagine he had bias that allowed him to neglect evidence so immediately available. I’m saddened by the number of innocent men this happens to who are still imprisoned. Maybe his story will help bring more attention to these injustices and lead to more releases. With consciousness on the rise, I can only hope these wrongful convictions become a thing of the past sooner rather than later.
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s important to remember and spread stories like this! Along these lines watch Just Mercy – came out late last year. An amazing story well told. And thanks Julie for all you do and reminding us that art and social justice are and should be close allies!
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s important to remember and spread stories like this! Along these lines watch Just Mercy – came out late last year. An amazing story well told. And thanks Julie for all you do and reminding us that art and social justice are and should be close allies!
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s important to remember and spread stories like this! Along these lines watch Just Mercy – came out late last year. An amazing story well told. And thanks Julie for all you do and reminding us that art and social justice are and should be close allies!
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s important to remember and spread stories like this! Along these lines watch Just Mercy – came out late last year. An amazing story well told. And thanks Julie for all you do and reminding us that art and social justice are and should be close allies!
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s important to remember and spread stories like this! Along these lines watch Just Mercy – came out late last year. An amazing story well told. And thanks Julie for all you do and reminding us that art and social justice are and should be close allies!
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s important to remember and spread stories like this! Along these lines watch Just Mercy – came out late last year. An amazing story well told. And thanks Julie for all you do and reminding us that art and social justice are and should be close allies!
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s important to remember and spread stories like this! Along these lines watch Just Mercy – came out late last year. An amazing story well told. And thanks Julie for all you do and reminding us that art and social justice are and should be close allies!