Courtland Milloy recently penned a column that I wanted to call out here. His column picks up on two themes that I have previously raised. Back in October, I wrote a post titled Dear Michael Vick, Please Stop Being an Advocate for the PIC. In the post, I made the point that it is a form of internalized oppression for Vick to suggest that prison was the only thing that could have prevented his “destructive” behavior.

Next a couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Lil’ Wayne’s release from prison (against my will) to highlight the fact that we shouldn’t expect any powerful analysis from him about his incarceration experience since he was more interested in preserving his “brand” and making money.

Here are some of the most salient parts of Courtland Milloy’s column:

I’ve been hearing testimonials from celebrated black ex-offenders lately about how going to prison may have been the best thing that ever happened to them. And, frankly, it makes me queasy.

“It only takes for them to slam the doors on you one time for you to know that, ‘Look, this is serious,’ ” Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick told NBC sportscaster Bob Costas on Sunday.

Just the slam of a cellblock door – and when it opens again 23 months later, Vick emerges not only a better man, we are told, but a better football player as a result of the experience.

As far as I’m concerned, Vick could have kept that to himself. So what if he is on the road to “redemption” after serving time for operating a dog-fighting ring? The last thing we need is a black pitchman for prisons

Next he takes on Lil’ Wayne:

Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., the 28-year-old rapper known as Lil Wayne, was released Nov. 10 from Rikers Island prison in New York after serving eight months on a weapons violation. He could have spoken out about being caged up with so many black men, at least wondered aloud how it is that in some states blacks make up more than 80 percent of those jailed on drug charges, as Alexander points out, when blacks are no more likely to use drugs than whites.

Instead, Lil Wayne comes out boasting about being rested and ready to party. He also thanked his millions of fans for making him the first rapper in history to release a top-selling album while in prison.

Life behind bars is but a breeze. What a lie.

Finally he ends with these powerful and important paragraphs about Michael Vick:

During the interview with Costas, Vick made an important observation about his time at the Leavenworth work camp, which may have gotten lost in all the talk about his comeback.

“After four or five months, I started to get comfortable in that environment, and I had to pinch myself and say I’m not supposed to be here,” Vick said. Not even a year and he’s already starting to get comfortable in his cage, as if he naturally belongs there.

No doubt Vick, who is 30, pinched himself to stay reminded of what freedom means. But he also had a lot of support from former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, who visited him in prison, along with family and friends.

Not every inmate gets released into the arms of loved ones, to say nothing of being embraced by the NFL.

“Upon release, ex-offenders are discriminated against, legally, for the rest of their lives, and most will eventually return to prison,” Alexander writes.

If Vick and others want to talk about prison life, let them talk about that.

Read the entire column it is worth it!