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Locking Up Our Own
320 pages, 2018
Former public defender James Forman, Jr. is a leading critic of mass incarceration and its disproportionate impact on people of color. In Locking Up Our Own, he seeks to understand the war on crime that began in the 1970s and why it was supported by many African American leaders in the nation’s urban centers.
Forman shows us that the first substantial cohort of black mayors, judges, and police chiefs took office amid a surge in crime and drug addiction. Many prominent black officials, including Washington, D.C. mayor Marion Barry and federal prosecutor Eric Holder, feared that the gains of the civil rights movement were being undermined by lawlessness―and thus embraced tough-on-crime measures, including longer sentences and aggressive police tactics. In the face of skyrocketing murder rates and the proliferation of open-air drug markets, they believed they had no choice. But the policies they adopted would have devastating consequences for residents of poor black neighborhoods.
A former D.C. public defender, Forman tells riveting stories of politicians, community activists, police officers, defendants, and crime victims. He writes with compassion about individuals trapped in terrible dilemmas―from the men and women he represented in court to officials struggling to respond to a public safety emergency. Locking Up Our Own enriches our understanding of why our society became so punitive and offers important lessons to anyone concerned about the future of race and the criminal justice system in this country.
In 'Locking Up Our Own', James Forman Jr. explores the roots of mass incarceration in the United States. He digs into the role that African American leaders and communities have played in advocating for tough-on-crime measures, contributing to the current state of the criminal justice system.
Forman Jr. takes a look at how African American leaders, in an effort to protect their communities from the ravages of crime, ended up supporting policies that disproportionately affect people of color. It's a complex issue that the book handles with care and depth.
The book delves into the impact of the War on Drugs on African American communities. Forman Jr. shows how this war, supported by many black leaders, has led to a disproportionate number of African Americans being incarcerated.
Forman Jr. explores how fear can shape policy. In 'Locking Up Our Own', he shows how fear of crime led to the adoption of policies that have had devastating effects on African American communities.
The book makes a compelling case for criminal justice reform. Forman Jr. argues that we need to rethink our approach to crime and punishment, and offers suggestions for how we can create a more equitable and just system.
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Locking Up Our Own is an extraordinary book that will radically alter your understanding of the issues of crime and punishment.
Michelle Alexander - Civil Rights AdvocateJames Forman Jr.'s insightful book, Locking Up Our Own, offers a fresh and nuanced perspective on mass incarceration.
Bryan Stevenson - Social Justice ActivistLocking Up Our Own is a profound book, revealing the role of black leaders in advocating for harsher punishments and more police.
Ta-Nehisi Coates - Author, JournalistForman's book, Locking Up Our Own, is a powerful narrative that confronts the complexities of race, crime, and justice.
David Cole - Law ProfessorRecommendations
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