Together we can

 "Education is Another Form of Freedom" follows Vernon T. Bateman, a community advocate, author, illustrator, and artist, as he delivers a series of invited guest lectures at DePauw University, one of the top 50 National Liberal Arts Colleges in the U.S. Accompanied by Associate Professor and Chair of Education Studies Dr. Derek Ford and joined by Indianapolis Liberation Center volunteer Bridget O’Reilly and IndyStar reporter Mykal McEldowney, Vernon speaks to three classes and lectures at a university-wide luncheon. Discover Vernon's remarkably diverse and broad knowledge as he engages in dialogue with University community members about a range of topics—with only 10-minute breaks in between each lecture.  Vernon and Derek discuss the course topics on the drive from Indianapolis to DePauw, scenes interspersed throughout the video to guide the viewer along the journey.  The first class, Radical Philosophy and Education, focuses not on what we teach but on how we teach. Students just finished Tyson E. Lewis and Igor Jasinski’s 2023 book, "Rethinking Philosophy for Children." As students taught Vernon some of the specific themes and concepts in the book, an organic dialogue emerged about the infinite source of human potential.  Vernon and his team rush to The Wood Study in the new Roy O. West Library for a university-wide luncheon. After Prof. Ford introduces him as a friend who, they say, “is way smarter than me,” Vernon speaks about his work advocating for the community—and the difficult conditions under which he does so. He talks about writing his first children’s book in prison, a book that made it past prison bars years before Vernon. Predoctoral Scholar Kandyce Anderson, audibly grateful for Vernon’s presence, asks about his artistic process, which is open-ended for Vernon who “is a student of my own art.” This is when Ford reveals some of the absurd obstacles they were forced to overcome to let Vernon deliver the lectures.  The second class, “Deconstructing Difference,” attracts students across the university. Vernon helps prepare students for their final project, which entails translating a dense theoretical work into a children’s book. As the students engage the five children’s books Vernon published (thus far), he shares his thoughts on art and imperfection.  Students in the last class, “Art, Politics, and Education,” were grateful that Vernon took time to provide one-on-one and small-group feedback on their upcoming assignments.   Vernon is always looking to the future; he is what some might call a visionary. As a result, his passion for education is tied to his passion for improving the livelihoods and communities of the next generation. His authentic interactions with students that close out the day—and the documentary—testify to the limitless contributions Vernon will continue to make to our world. 

Unjustly in and out of prison and solitary confinement, Vernon T. Bateman used prison issued rubber pens and 16 crayons—gifted from a friend who swallowed a pack of batteries to get them—to document his inner transformation, parent his child through prison walls with his children’s books, and more generally, to record the moment—capturing the horrendous and inhumane conditions inherent to the the U.S. prison system that he fought, and continues to fight, against.

This installation of Bateman’s documentary captures the years 2007-2023. During this period, Vernon takes point in his legal battle and catches the prosecution in a lie when they fail to produce the rape kit that would produce exculpatory evidence. Instead, they make the verifiably false claim that no rape kit was ever collected. While Vernon fights his original wrongful charges, he also must battle conspiratorial accusations from an internal affairs officer, abuse of power at the hands of his parole officers—including fabrications of both parole violations, and new felony charges that put Vernon back in prison—and vile, repressive conditions in lockup.

Keep Vernon in the fight with us by sharing his story and signing his petition!
www.freevernon.org

Video written, directed, edited, and produced by the Indianapolis Liberation Center and its organizers:
Aubrey Whiteman
Jay Grillo
Derek Ford

Through his painting, "The Belly of the Beast," Vernon T. Bateman gives a short lesson in the history of the real Tarzan: Ota Benga. Ota Benga refused to accept colonial subjugation, racist terror, and enslavement, resisting by uniting with other inhabitants of the "Monkey House" at the Bronx Zoo.

We must honor and study the legacies of these revolutionary freedom fighters so we can carry them on today. The parallels between Ota Benga and Vernon T. Bateman's struggles are separated by over a century, but the parallels are disturbing. Ota Benga was liberated through collective organizing then, and we need your help to liberate Bateman now. Visit FreeVernon.org, sign and share the petition, and join the fight for freedom today!

Directed and produced by Aubrey Whiteman
Written and performed by Vernon T. Bateman and Derek Ford

 After decades in prison with a hand over his mouth, Vernon T. Bateman is free to speak. More people of diverse backgrounds from across the country are now listening as he fights to bring the truth of his case into the light.  

 The Indianapolis Liberation Center's "Fourth Fridays" Series, "Unleashing the Creativity of the Masses," featured GANGGANG and the Marion County Reentry Coalition's, "Perceptions," a body of work centering the experiences and emotions of five formally incarcerated Hoosiers. An exciting panel contextualized the work, which will be exhibited throughout April 2024 at the Fonseca-Du Bois Gallery powered by Arte Mexicano en Indiana. With the inclusion of Vernon T. Bateman on the panel, it united "Perceptions" with the mounting campaign to exonerate Vernon T. Bateman, who spent decades in prison, 13 in solitary confinement, for a crime he did not commit.  Watch Vernon's short speech yourself and sign the petition to exonerate him now!  

Vernon Bateman interview with Exoneree of 25 years Leon Benson to talk about his artwork and case. 

 Vernon T. Bateman Donates copies of If Bullets Could Cry, Food, and Gatorade to the Greater South Bend Youth Football Team advocating for Change. 

 Vernon T. Bateman Donates copies of If Bullets Could Cry, Food, and Gatorade to the Greater South Bend Youth Football Team advocating for Change.  

 Vernon T. Bateman Donates copies of If Bullets Could Cry, Food, and Gatorade to the Greater South Bend Youth Football Team advocating for Change. 

 Vernon T. Bateman Donates copies of If Bullets Could Cry, Food, and Gatorade to the Greater South Bend Youth Football Team advocating for Change.