Omari Amili: Breaking the Cycle | News & Information

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field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden"> Omari Amili: Breaking the Cycle </span> </h1> <div class="created">March 22, 2017</div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/news/omari-amili-breaking-cycle" data-a2a-title="Omari Amili: Breaking the Cycle"><a aria-label="Share this page icon" class="a2a_dd addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tacoma.uw.edu%2Fnews%2Fomari-amili-breaking-cycle&title=Omari%20Amili%3A%20Breaking%20the%20Cycle"></a><a class="a2a_button_facebook" title="Facebook Share Icon"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" title="Twitter/X Share Icon"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" title="Email Share Icon"></a></span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-news-story-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>UW Tacoma alumnus Omari Amili tells in his own words how obtaining an education "opened doors for me that I never knew existed and helped me find a purpose in life."</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-sections field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--section paragraph--view-mode--default section-theme-light-theme section-header-style-purple-dominant has-bg-color light-theme hide-bg-rain consistent-row-height" id="permalink-74516" > <div class="field field-name-field-section-components field-type-entity-reference-revisions field-label-hidden field-items"> <div class="field-item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--grid-1 paragraph--view-mode--default limit-width paragraph--grid" id="permalink-74515"> <div class="field field--name-field-grid-1-items field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden paragraph--grid field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--default" id="permalink-74514"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><figure class="caption caption-drupal-media align-right" aria-label="Image and Caption"> <article class="align-right media media--type-image media--view-mode-default" aria-label="uwtnews-alumni-omariamili-storyimage01.jpg"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/sites/default/files/2021-10/uwtnews-alumni-omariamili-storyimage01.jpg" width="300" height="445" alt="Omari Amili, '14, '16" loading="lazy"></p> </div> </article> <figcaption>Omari Amili, '14 Psychology/Self and Society; '16 M.A. Interdisciplinary Studies</figcaption> </figure> <p>Omari Amili graduated twice from UW Tacoma — first in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a B.A. in interdisciplinary arts and sciences, then again in 2016 with a Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies. Today he works at South Seattle College advising students on educational and career goals.</p> <p>Amili was one of <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/watch-from-black-hair-matters-to-board-games-here-are-11-fast-talks-about-education-from-ignite-education-lab/">11 speakers at the 2017 “Ignite Education Lab</a>,” hosted by the<em> Seattle Times</em> on February 8, 2017, at Seattle’s Town Hall. <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/whats-the-cost-of-not-funding-public-education-panelists-weigh-in/">He also participated</a> in a <a href="http://livewire.seattletimes.com/">Seattle Times LiveWire event</a> at UW’s Kane Hall in Seattle on March 22. He is the author of the forthcoming book <em><a href="http://progressionwa.com/book-orders/">Transforming Society’s Failure</a></em>.</p> <p>Recently, the <em>Seattle Times</em> published an opinion column by Amili in which he tells the story of how he turned his life around, earning an A.A. degree from Pierce College, then a B.A. and an M.A. from UW Tacoma. We are proud to present his story in his own words, below.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--section paragraph--view-mode--default section-theme-gold-light-theme section-header-style-purple-dominant has-bg-color gold-light-theme show-bg-rain consistent-row-height" id="permalink-74519" > <div class="field field-name-field-section-components field-type-entity-reference-revisions field-label-hidden field-items"> <div class="field-item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--grid-1 paragraph--view-mode--default limit-width paragraph--grid" id="permalink-74518"> <div class="field field--name-field-grid-1-items field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden paragraph--grid field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--default" id="permalink-74517"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>From jail to a master’s degree: the power of education</h2> <p><em>Originally published by </em><a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/from-jail-to-a-masters-degree-the-power-of-second-chances/">The Seattle Times</a><em><a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/from-jail-to-a-masters-degree-the-power-of-second-chances/">, March 17, 2017</a>. Reprinted with permission.</em></p> <p>By Omari Amili - Special to The Times</p> <p>Before I officially became a convict, the psychological preparation for a life of failure had already begun. I spent 8.5 months in the Pierce County Jail listening to people talk about how impossible life becomes when you have a criminal record. Once I had pleaded guilty, was sentenced and in prison, the doom-and-gloom outlook on life was only reinforced.</p> <p>One day in particular stands out to me as a key moment in my life, when I knew that things could be different for me. During my incarceration I had to participate in a therapeutic community/behavior modification program. I was in one of the classes, and the group was discussing our plans for when we re-enter society. During this class, person after person spoke about their fears and concerns that they would be released to an unwelcoming, unforgiving and harsh society, set up for failure the moment they walked out that gate.</p> <article class="media media--type-remote-video media--view-mode-default" aria-label="7 Frelimo Omari Amili TacTalks2016"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-oembed-video field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item"> <iframe src="https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/media/oembed?url=https%3A//youtu.be/JPhdS_09gsY&max_width=0&max_height=0&hash=JdXp0YLMoW4A7uprsbe39MVdyoBPGNuTY8P0n7jVh5U" width="200" height="113" class="media-oembed-content" loading="eager" title="7 Frelimo Omari Amili TacTalks2016"></iframe></div> </article> <p>When it was my turn to speak, I decided to take another route. I spoke about leaning on friends and family for support, utilizing resources that are available, and making something of myself. Unfortunately, this turned the room against me as if optimism was not allowed. Even the counselor pointed out how unrealistic my thinking was. I got angry and began cursing, although that was against the rules. But I was telling them that it was their frame of mind that was holding them back. I told myself that I would never embrace a mindset that would keep me trapped in a cycle of poverty and incarceration.</p> <p>I had seen enough of that in my young life. I was raised in poverty by drug-addicted parents. I didn’t know many males who had a real job who could demonstrate to me what being a man was about. Most of the kids I knew, whether in my family or just from the neighborhood, were growing up in similar conditions. Being disadvantaged is what I considered normal.</p> <p>After moving to a new school in Burien, I stopped trying. School didn’t matter. I had a couple good stretches, but for the most part I wasn’t learning anything they were trying to teach me and I didn’t care. I never saw an ally or a supporter in teachers or staff. I saw them as opposition because for the most part that was how they treated me. There was no one there to advocate for me. There was no one even interested in hearing me out. They preferred to shut me up.</p> <figure class="caption caption-drupal-media align-right" aria-label="Image and Caption"> <article class="align-right media media--type-image media--view-mode-default" aria-label="uwtnews-alumni-omariamili-storyimage02.jpg"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/sites/default/files/2021-10/uwtnews-alumni-omariamili-storyimage02.jpg" width="460" height="398" alt="Omari Amili, '14, '16, in 2016 commencement ceremony wearing UW Tacoma Master's hood." loading="lazy"></p> </div> </article> <figcaption>Omari Amili, '14, '16, at UW Tacoma commencement ceremony wearing his Master's hood. Courtesy photo.</figcaption> </figure> <p>It should not come as a surprise to anyone who pays attention that I ultimately became a dropout and ended up in prison. This is not a unique story. This happens time and time again.</p> <p>When I got out in 2008, I got a job at the Old Country Buffet. It was only a matter of days before I accepted the fact that being stuck at a dead-end job would probably lead me back to hustling, which would then, ultimately, lead me back to prison. I recognized that if I truly wanted to be successful, I was going to have to get an education.</p> <p>When I started at Pierce College in September 2008, I had a very rough academic background. Somehow I was able to persist through many obstacles that come along with having been an incarcerated, GED carrying, broke black male, first-generation college student. I was also able to persist despite becoming a single father of two small children after my children’s mother went to prison.</p> <p>By 2011, I had earned an Associate Degree in Human Services, Substance Abuse. Learning about various mental-health and substance-abuse disorders helped me make sense of my own upbringing. My attitudes, behaviors, values and identity were all impacted by the new knowledge and experiences I had gained through becoming a college student.</p> <p>After earning my AA, I went on to UW Tacoma, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Self and Society. Some $144,000 in student loans later, I earned a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies at UW in 2016. Successfully obtaining an education has opened doors for me that I never knew existed and helped me find purpose in life.</p> <p>Society benefits when people with criminal convictions are provided with opportunities. When people are denied education, jobs and shelter based on the results of a background check, society is forcing them back into a life of crime and dishonesty. When people have a desire to change and become positive and productive members of society, they should be embraced and assisted as much as possible to ensure their success. Not everyone’s experience with re-entry will be the same, but as a society we need to do all we can to make sure that no one can ever use the excuse that returning to a life of crime was their only option.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="slanty-rain-bg" style="background-image:url('https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/sites/default/files/sites/uwtd8main/slanty-rain-gold.svg')"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-story-attribution field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item">Written by Omari Amili, Special to The Seattle Times</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/news/stories?tid%5B%5D=80">Alumni</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/news/stories?tid%5B%5D=84">Equity & Inclusion</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/news/stories?tid%5B%5D=90">Legal Pathways</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/news/stories?tid%5B%5D=103">School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/news/stories?tid%5B%5D=75">Student Affairs</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/news/stories?tid%5B%5D=112">Student profiles</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field-item news-story-sidebar"> <h2>Recent news</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-recent-news view-id-recent_news view-display-id-recent_news_block js-view-dom-id-05a7f1ca26462fa1b83334520ca68c10160daabf2657c3cb6fb2997302ec1f8f"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"> <article aria-label="Featured news Story: Breaking the isolation" class="node node--type-news-story node--view-mode-news-story-recent-news node--site--46"> <h2 id="main-content-header" class="visually-hidden">Main Content</h2> <div class="node__content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4 left"> <div class="field field--name-field-news-story-teaser-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article aria-label="uwtnews-garner-343sq.jpg" class="media media--type-news-story-teaser-image media--view-mode-news-widget-teaser-view-mode"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image-2 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/news/breaking-isolation" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_widget_teaser_image/public/2024-12/uwtnews-garner-343sq.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="Dr. Michelle Garner" loading="lazy" class="image-style-news-widget-teaser-image" /> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-8 right"> <h3><a href="/news/breaking-isolation">Breaking the isolation </a> </h3> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-news-story-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item">Associate Professor Michelle Garner is helping lead a tri-campus effort to raise awareness and support for faculty and staff with disabilities.</div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article aria-label="News Story: School of Education Receives $4.8 Million Federal Grant to Support School Psychology" class="node node--type-news-story node--promoted node--view-mode-news-story-recent-news node--site--46"> <h2 id="main-content-header" class="visually-hidden">Main Content</h2> <div class="node__content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4 left"> <a href="/news/school-education-receives-48-million-federal-grant-support-school-psychology"> <img src="/sites/default/files/2020-11/default-image-300x300.jpg" alt="" /> </a> </div> <div class="col-md-8 right"> <h3><a href="/news/school-education-receives-48-million-federal-grant-support-school-psychology">School of Education Receives $4.8 Million Federal Grant to Support School Psychology </a> </h3> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-news-story-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item">One of the largest federal grants UW Tacoma has ever received, it will help support students and local school districts improve counseling and psychology resources.</div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article aria-label="News Story: Student Affairs Team Spirit Award: Autumn 2024" class="node node--type-news-story node--view-mode-news-story-recent-news node--site--8"> <h2 id="main-content-header" class="visually-hidden">Main Content</h2> <div class="node__content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4 left"> <div class="field field--name-field-news-story-teaser-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article aria-label="ts_admissions.jpg" class="media media--type-news-story-teaser-image media--view-mode-news-widget-teaser-view-mode"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image-2 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <a href="/student-affairs/student-affairs-team-spirit-award-autumn-2024" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_widget_teaser_image/public/2024-12/ts_admissions_0.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="Photo of admissions staff members" loading="lazy" class="image-style-news-widget-teaser-image" /> </a> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-8 right"> <h3><a href="/student-affairs/student-affairs-team-spirit-award-autumn-2024">Student Affairs Team Spirit Award: Autumn 2024 </a> </h3> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-news-story-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item">Quarterly, the Student Affairs Leadership Team nominates groups within the division to be recognized. One team is selected to be recognized with that quarter's "Team Spirit Award."</div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="/news/stories" class="uwt-button uwt-styled-link">More Recent News</a> <div class="news-homepage-news-clips"> <h2>UW Tacoma in the News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news-widget view-id-news_widget view-display-id-news_story_sidebar_news_clips js-view-dom-id-68bb1288e608ea5cec0b763ca3196c46bcf2fd6325cf206f52ff3cee347ed254"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-row"> <article aria-label="News Clip (external article): ISSIP Elects Haluk Demirkan Vice President for 2025" class="node node--type-news-story node--view-mode-news-story-news-clip node--site--46"> <h2 id="main-content-header" class="visually-hidden">Main Content</h2> <div class="node__content"> <h3> <a href="https://www.abc27.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/759935590/issip-elects-haluk-demirkan-vice-president-for-2025/">ISSIP Elects Haluk Demirkan Vice President for 2025</a> </h3> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-news-story-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item">The International Society of Service Innovation Professionals (ISSIP), the non-profit organization advancing innovation to better serve people, business, and society, announced that Dr. Haluk Demirkan, has been elected to serve as Vice President for 2025, (and succeed to the role of ISSIP president in 2026).</div> <div class="field field--name-field-publication-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">EIN Presswire</div> <span> - </span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-clip-publication-date field--type-timestamp field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-11-12T16:12:00-08:00" class="datetime">November 12, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article aria-label="News Clip (external article): East Pierce County is becoming more and more diverse. 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How about its elected leaders?</a> </h3> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-news-story-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item">Professor Katie Baird is quoted in this article on the changing demographics of East Pierce County and whether its elected leaders reflect those changes.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-publication-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The News Tribune</div> <span title="This article requires a paid subscription to The News Tribune" class=" uwt-icon dollar-sign-circle"><span class="path1"></span><span class="path2"></span></span> <span> - </span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-clip-publication-date field--type-timestamp field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-30T05:00:00-07:00" class="datetime">October 30, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-row"> <article aria-label="News Clip (external article): Washington Chief Justice Calls Diversity 'Critical' For Courts" class="node node--type-news-story node--view-mode-news-story-news-clip node--site--46"> <h2 id="main-content-header" class="visually-hidden">Main Content</h2> <div class="node__content"> <h3> <a href="https://www.law360.com/articles/2253691/wash-chief-justice-calls-diversity-critical-for-courts">Washington Chief Justice Calls Diversity 'Critical' For Courts</a> </h3> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-news-story-summary field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item">Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Gonzalez spoke at UW Tacoma on what diversity in cultural perspectives can bring to classrooms and courtrooms alike.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-publication-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Law360</div> <span> - </span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-clip-publication-date field--type-timestamp field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-30T00:04:00-07:00" class="datetime">October 30, 2024</time> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a href="/news/clips" class="uwt-button uwt-styled-link">More UW Tacoma in the News</a> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="footer" role="contentinfo" aria-label="Contact information for the UW Tacoma website."> <div id="footer-contact" title="Contact information for the UW Tacoma website."> <div class="limit-width row"> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="contact-info"> <h2>Contact</h2> <div class="contact site-name">News & Information</div> <div class="email-phone-wrapper"> <div class="contact email"> <a href="mailto:uwtnews@uw.edu"> <span class="uwt-icon uwt-icon-envelope"></span> uwtnews@uw.edu</a> </div> <div class="contact phone"> <a href="tel:253-692-5753"> <span class="uwt-icon uwt-icon-phone"></span> 253-692-5753 </a> </div> </div>  </div>  </div> <div 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Omari Amili: Breaking the Cycle | News & Information | University of Washington Tacoma