Black History Month Thought Experiment Explores Identity Education in Rehabilitation and Reentry

A thought experiment explores how identity education could influence rehabilitation, reentry, and community transformation during Black History Month.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 11:47pm

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A thought experiment explores how identity education through the book "Not Who We Are: Don't Call Yourself What the Curse Calls You" could influence rehabilitation, reentry, and community transformation for African-American inmates during Black History Month. The book examines how language and identity narratives shape self-perception, decision-making, and life direction. Supporters suggest the book could be integrated into literacy programs, mentorship initiatives, faith-based curricula, and reentry preparation frameworks to foster dialogue on identity, responsibility, and personal transformation.

Why it matters

African-Americans are disproportionately represented in the U.S. prison system, and scholars have long debated the systemic, economic, and social factors contributing to incarceration rates. This thought experiment proposes an additional lens - the role of identity formation and internalized narratives in the rehabilitation and reentry process. The goal is to explore how identity education could complement existing initiatives and empower individuals to envision different futures.

The details

The hypothetical scenario proposes that if every African-American inmate received and read "Not Who We Are", it could spark powerful reflections on identity, language, rehabilitation, and the unseen narratives that shape human behavior. The book uses metaphor, scripture, and cognitive frameworks to guide readers through a process of self-examination, offering pathways to reframe identity narratives and cultivate intentional self-concepts rooted in dignity, purpose, and responsibility. Supporters suggest the book could be integrated into literacy programs, mentorship initiatives, faith-based curricula, and reentry preparation frameworks.

  • Black History Month is approaching in February 2026.

The players

Aaron M. Montague

A West Philadelphia native, pastor, and author-coach who wrote the book "Not Who We Are: Don't Call Yourself What the Curse Calls You".

Bureau of Justice Statistics

The agency that has data showing African-Americans are disproportionately represented in the U.S. prison system.

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What they’re saying

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

— Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist

“People often focus on changing behavior without addressing the beliefs beneath behavior. Not Who We Are invites readers to examine the beliefs they have inherited, absorbed, or accepted—sometimes without conscious awareness.”

— Aaron M. Montague, author

“Rehabilitation is not merely procedural. It is cognitive, emotional, and spiritual. When individuals begin to see themselves differently, they may begin to envision different futures.”

— Aaron M. Montague, author

What’s next

Educators, faith leaders, and civic organizations are being encouraged to purchase and gift copies of "Not Who We Are" for study groups, mentorship cohorts, and outreach initiatives. The goal is to foster dialogue and reflection on identity formation across communities.

The takeaway

This thought experiment highlights the potential impact of identity education in rehabilitation and reentry programs, suggesting that empowering individuals to reframe their self-narratives could complement existing initiatives and open new pathways for personal transformation and community impact.