What transformed music into a hobby for me was its ability to help me convey my story. Early experiences of abuse, a fractured childhood, and repeated physical violence, including multiple shootings by my mother, shaped my reality. Threats, coercion, and fear characterized my home environment. Systemic responses mandated therapy and imposed medication, resulting in a loss of autonomy. This loss, coupled with compounded trauma from systemic interventions, eroded my privacy and created a lifelong stigma, with records widely disseminated among agencies and educational institutions.
The stigma and surveillance extended into adulthood. Reporting to authorities proved futile, as multiple reports made to police and child protection agencies resulted in inadequate or no protective measures, leaving me vulnerable. I felt unheard; instead, I was processed, medicated, and categorized. The system, which was intended to protect, became another source of harm. The lifelong consequences include a broken trust, with ongoing issues in my relationships with institutions. Persistent records have adversely affected my opportunities in housing, employment, and healthcare.
My name is Trashawn Oliver-Thomas, and the impetus to share my story through music intensified when I faced a serious health condition on March 28, 2025, at Waukesha County Jail at 4:30 AM in my cell F125. Awakening in a coma left me feeling hopeless, but I channeled those emotions into my music to articulate my feelings.
Connect:
IG: @traoliverfly
