After a century of pain, Dozier's doors finally close (abusive Florida reform school for boys)

[seafan]

After a century of pain, Dozier's doors finally close

By Ben Montgomery, Times Staff Writer
Jun 30, 2011 09:02 PM

.....

Bryant Middleton, 66, stood still, hands behind his back, posture stiff. Minutes slid by, each one closer to 5:30 p.m. — "1730 hours," the retired Army captain called it — when all this would end, when the state would finally close its first and oldest reform school after 111 years.

He was not totally certain why he came. To bear witness, maybe. To see that it was real, that the state officials kept their promises. To make sure they turned the lights off.

.....

"There's been 111 years of child abuse at this place," he said. "Maybe I'm here to represent those children. Many of them can't speak. I'm not here to speak, I'm just here to stand as a representative." ..... "No matter how many times I come out here," he said, "when I look across that campus, I still have fear."

.....

"I hope you guys can hear me, wherever you are," he said. "I hope you know we did the right thing. So many children. So many futures.

"We beat those sons of b-----s."

As reported on May 26, 2011, with details of backstory:


Florida set to close controversial boys' school in Marianna on June 30, 2011



Today begins a new existence for the survivors of Dozier School for Boys, which is now, mercifully, no more.

[xfundy]

1. This is the kind of "school" cancervatives applaud.

Cruel. Right up their goddamn alleys.

[Octafish]

2. Authoritarians really are sick.

Some authority figures are great people -- Capt. Middleton.

Thank you for the heads-up, seafan.