Essay #2 "The System Isnt Broken" from Mariame Kaba's "We Do This Till We Free Us"

The System Isnt Broken

Born in Coatesville, raised in Philadelphia, PA, Norland “Elgin” Bailey is no stranger to facing giants. As the 4th child of 6, Elgin matriculated through Philadelphia School System for elementary and middle, and is a proud graduate of Coatesville Area Senior High School. Immediately afterward he served 4 years in the military, US Navy Branch as a communication technician. As an honorably discharged disabled veteran, Elgin is no stranger to serving his community’s marginalized population ranging from juvenile sexual offenders facilities, to their homeless shelters, while giving back through after school programs such as YMCA, and other forms of educational and communal settings. Elgin has served as a community activist for a number of years in the Coatesville community. Through speaking, protesting, organizing, and intentionally curating prophetic spaces, calling truth to power, Elgin is one of the founding members of the Robert Chadwick Group, in honor of his brother “Chad”.  After years of serving his community, Elgin decided to pursue higher education, and is currently obtaining the first of many degrees in  behavioral mental health counseling, and psychology. Currently as a prevention specialist, specializing in drugs/alcohol in the homeless community, Elgin is a proud husband, father of 4 beautiful daughters, a podcaster, a “dabbler” in the culinary arts, a speaker, a friend, and committed to the well-being of the Black collective. Elgin lives by the mantra of the famous Frederick Douglas quote stating “without struggle, there is no progress.”

Society & Culture

Born in Coatesville, raised in Philadelphia, PA, Norland “Elgin” Bailey is no stranger to facing giants. As the 4th child of 6, Elgin matriculated through Philadelphia School System for elementary and middle, and is a proud graduate of Coatesville Area Senior High School. Immediately afterward he served 4 years in the military, US Navy Branch as a communication technician. As an honorably discharged disabled veteran, Elgin is no stranger to serving his community’s marginalized population ranging from juvenile sexual offenders facilities, to their homeless shelters, while giving back through after school programs such as YMCA, and other forms of educational and communal settings. Elgin has served as a community activist for a number of years in the Coatesville community. Through speaking, protesting, organizing, and intentionally curating prophetic spaces, calling truth to power, Elgin is one of the founding members of the Robert Chadwick Group, in honor of his brother “Chad”. After years of serving his community, Elgin decided to pursue higher education, and is currently obtaining the first of many degrees in behavioral mental health counseling, and psychology. Currently as a prevention specialist, specializing in drugs/alcohol in the homeless community, Elgin is a proud husband, father of 4 beautiful daughters, a podcaster, a “dabbler” in the culinary arts, a speaker, a friend, and committed to the well-being of the Black collective. Elgin lives by the mantra of the famous Frederick Douglas quote stating “without struggle, there is no progress.”

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The System Isnt Broken

The System Isnt Broken