Author Kevin Powell argues that not having a blueprint means improvising at every step, sometimes leaping to brilliance.

Conversely, he adds, it can also lead to "chaos" or to "gross error."

For several inmates at the State Correctional Institution at Rockview, the latter has proven true.

To combat this problem, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center applied its three approaches to culture: educate, develop and engage.

The cultural center sponsored the "Breaking Bread Series," a literary outreach initiative between inmates and graduate students, to cultivate, through education, development and engagement, a blueprint for both graduate students and inmates that was previously non-existent.

The students who met with inmates at the prison each week during this past month read Who's Gonna Take the Weight? Manhood, Race, and Power in America, written by Powell.

Tuesday night, which marked the last installment in the series, began with students and inmates diving headfirst into discussion about the book. Discussion points ranged from sexism to power and racism to manhood.

"He speaks to the powerlessness of black people," inmate Samir Ali said about one of the underlying themes in the book. "It speaks to our powerlessness."

Yet the cultural center's Director Toby Jenkins said there was something else to be learned from Powell's message.

"The book is a call for us to be honest with ourselves in our own lives," she said. "He's speaking against this essentialism that says if you're a man you have to be this and that. The reality is that we all need to check ourselves."

Ali said it was because of the patriarchal system set in place in America that sexism has such a strong hold on the American psyche.

"Sexism comes from a system that goes beyond us," he said. "It teaches us to think that men can't be sensitive."

Ali elaborated that sexism, which can be used as a tool against the powerless, is a reflection of society.

"This country is based on vertical relationships," he said. "The country is also based on objectification."

Both things, Ali said, are glorified in sexism.

Jenkins said there is an overall challenge regarding not only sexism but racism as well.

"It really is an issue of power and respect," she said. "The overall challenge is mutual respect."

Jehnel Smith (senior-liberal arts), who previously worked as an officer for a correctional facility in New York and is now obtaining her bachelor's degree, said the night and month-long initiative was beneficial for both students and inmates.

"I think we vibed with the guys real well," she said. "They had a chance to speak their piece."

Smith, who said she believed society promotes negativity, added that many perceptions average Americans have about inmates are wrong.

"Like I said before, they're very knowledgeable," she said. "You got to see that everyone who goes to jail isn't illiterate or ignorant."

Smith spoke fondly of the importance of this literary outreach initiative.

"What else can [they] do if they're not educated?" she said. "What other avenues do they have?"

For Smith, like many of the graduate students, she found truth in circumstance.

"I don't condemn them," she said. "I've learned to appreciate the inmates."