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Locking Up Our Own

Crime and Punishment in Black America

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Locking Up Our Own

By: James Forman Jr.
Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
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Pulitzer Prize Winner, Nonfiction, 2018

An original and consequential argument about race, crime, and the law.

Today, Americans are debating our criminal justice system with new urgency. Mass incarceration and aggressive police tactics - and their impact on people of color - are feeding outrage and a consensus that something must be done. But what if we only know half the story? In Locking Up Our Own, the Yale legal scholar and former public defender James Forman Jr. weighs the tragic role that some African Americans themselves played in escalating the war on crime. As Forman shows, the first substantial cohort of black mayors, judges, and police chiefs took office around the country amid a surge in crime. Many came to believe that tough measures - such as stringent drug and gun laws and "pretext traffic stops" in poor African American neighborhoods - were needed to secure a stable future for black communities. Some politicians and activists saw criminals as a "cancer" that had to be cut away from the rest of black America. Others supported harsh measures more reluctantly, believing they had no other choice in the face of a public safety emergency. Drawing on his experience as a public defender and focusing on Washington, DC, Forman writes with compassion for individuals trapped in terrible dilemmas - from the young men and women he defended to officials struggling to cope with an impossible situation. The result is an original view of our justice system as well as a moving portrait of the human beings caught in its coils.

©2017 James Forman, Jr. (P)2017 Recorded Books African American Studies Americas Black & African American Crime Criminology Freedom & Security Penology Politics & Government Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Specific Demographics United States Discrimination Law Social justice Equality Thought-Provoking Inspiring Civil rights Health

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I learned much listening and will listen again I hope we will fix the system.

Very eye opening!

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Mr Foreman really delves into the history of how the justice department turned so punitive and harsh. The story is more complicated than is normally shown on the " opinion news " and both black and white played a part in getting to to what it is now. We can do better and we will.

Listen to this!!!!

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If you have read The New Jim Crow you have to read this book. It paints a more complicated story.

excellent

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Would you listen to Locking Up Our Own again? Why?

I loved Locking Up Our Own for many reasons, but one of the key takeaways was about the unintended consequences of many small steps that can work together to cause a massive force for change. I never realized how many small nuances contributed to the current problem with law enforcement and prisons and the well-intentioned goals of the people who lead us on this path.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The process of discovery that you go through when reading this book was largely experienced by the author so you share a feeling with the author where every new idea causes a reaction of: "But I thought...." only to find out there was more to the story. The well researched details convinced me that my views had been overly simplistic.

Which scene was your favorite?

I think the story of the "violent offender" was very touching because everyone hates violent offenders. It is so tempting to say that certain categories of people should endure this or that consequence of their behavior but it is best to look very closely at the details when designing systems. Fundamentally, zero tolerance systems can't allow flexibility and when definitions are broad, that is going to introduce potentially serious injustices into people's everyday lives. They may cause as much injustice as the problems they were designed to prevent - just to a different population.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wouldn't say I wanted to listen in one sitting, but only because there were things I wanted to think over, digest, and incorporate into my "world view". This book gives you a lot to chew on - about life in general as much as about the main topic of race problems in law enforcement and justice systems in the US.

Any additional comments?

This book is an excellent counterpoint and companion to "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander.

Thought Provoking and Worth Your Time

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Incredibly insightful read about a very complicated issue that spanned generations and saw greatly differing views on the legacy of Dr. Kings Dream and Civil Rights.

It's easy to blame one party or one group for the injustices we see; however, Mr. Formans book illustrates just how complicated the policy issues that led to Mass Incarceration actually are.

A must read for every criminal justice reform advocate to truly understand the generational divide that gave us the great moral issue of our time.

Gripping Story of How Mass Incarceration Happened

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I love the book!!Great historical facts.i definitely recommend it to everyone I know.The narrator was excellent.

Historical facts about criminal justice system.

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This is a very interesting topic. This is a must read for anyone wanting to learn more about the unfair policing practices during the crack era.

great book and read

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I listened to this on a road trip and really enjoyed it. Mr. Forman's writing is easy to follow and hearing his point of view -- a black public defender in Washington, D.C. -- was powerful. I recommend it highly.

Great read

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The reading was done with great inflection and charm. The writer has done an excellent job of weaving history with personal anecdotes. Although I have some disagreements with the overemphasized look at race, I understand why he sees it that way. But, the writer brings up excellent points in trying to decipher what is wrong with our criminal justice system. And I applaud his effort in bringing plausible solutions.

A good start

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This was an enlightening book and I appreciate having the opportunity to read it. We must all do better and care for one another.

Important book that we all need to read

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