Teenager at Alcatraz

            “Try not to judge people, but by the goodness in their heart.” This was something Cecil Berry said of his friend Clarence. By listening to the Teenager at Alcatraz story I learned a lot about how important communication is. Clarence was the main character in the story telling of the speech done on September 16^th, 2010 titled, Teenager at Alcatraz. Clarence dealt with a tough life. He was constantly told to “get out of here” wherever he went. One day Tony, Clarence, and Cecil went to rob the Green Frog, a bar. As they were gone from Jones Academy their nice shirts that they borrowed were covered in water and bleach. This ruined their clothes. In return they got into serious trouble because of it.

After Clarence and his friends tried to rob the Green Frog they decided to try to rob a grocery store with paper bags over their heads. As the cashier was being held up at the grocery store he told Clarence and his friends to “get out of here.” That was when Clarence snapped. He pulled out a gun and killed the cashier. The boys and he hopped on a train, but while on the run the police located them and pulled over the train. In 1946 Clarence was the youngest person to go to Alcatraz at 19 years old.

            Clarence and his friends decided to try to kill all of guards so they could escape. When Clarence went to kill his designated guard his guard told him to not hurt him by trying to persuade his decisions. He said, “I’m talking to the goodness in your heart.” The guard lived and Clarence escaped for many years, but eventually decides he wants to “go home.” He returned to Alcatraz where he died three days later. Communication was enough to get the cashier at the grocery store killed, but enough to save another man’s life.