Customer Reviews

Why Are So Many Black Men in Prison? A Comprehensive Account of How and Why the Prison Industry Has Become a Predatory Entity in the Lives of African-American Men

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Demico Boothe has explored the reasons so many black men are indeed in prison in, WHY ARE SO MANY BLACK MEN IN PRISON? He begins with his own story of a shaky upbringing and his subsequent dabbling in drug dealing. He was caught with a few grams of crack cocaine but because it was the dreaded crack, he was given 10 years in prison. When he left prison after serving his time, he was actually railroaded back into prison by a crooked justice system. He delves deeply into our justice system and the motives behind all the new prisons that are being built. He gives succinct and reasonable views of exactly what is happening now in the United States and how the past has played a role in the present. He uses persuasive statistics regarding the number of black men in prison as compared to the number of white men who are incarcerated.

Demico Boothe has done an excellent job of researching his subject and it is a plus, if unfortunate for him, that he has actually experienced first hand what he's talking about. I knew I was hearing the real story rather than just statistics from an intellectual who had no real idea of what the prison system is really like. I would have liked for Boothe to search a little deeper into the Haiti, Aristide and USA question, maybe even reading Randall Robinson's take on the situation, and then he might see it a bit differently. Otherwise, it is a good book and one every one in America should read. We indeed, have a crisis going on.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

When I saw this book, I immediately purchased it and sent it to my friend Willie Smith who is on Death Row in Alabama. This Review therefore expresses his review that he sent to me in a letter.
Claire, Thank you for this insightful book that helped me to look at my current circumstances differently. It opened my eyes to so many issues that I had taken for granted. For the first time I was resding someone else's views on the inequalities of the criminal justice system we have in America. When we were growing up, I dare not question the system for fear of being seen to be ungrateful for the small mercies.
The author touched on the racism that seems to lie beneath most of what happens to us young Black Men in the USA. He educated us about significant historical events such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panthers and the inequalities that they fought against. I was able to identify with much of what he had experienced because I too experienced that crushingly impoverished childhood and all the social deprivation that robbed me of my dignity and basic human rights and that conditioned my thoughts and determined a lifestyle that led me to where I am here on Death Row. Whilst I am here, I thank the author for being strong enough and frank enough to put his thoughts over in this way. This book has served as a source of inspiration for me to continue to try and educate myself and make up for the education that I missed whilst I was growing up. This book is a must read for all young Black men whether they are already in the system or not, so that they could avoid the same mistakes that I made and they could go on an seek opportunities to improve their lives.

This is a necessary work. Boothe doesn't make excuses. He doesn't 'blame the white man'. But he does do a great job of linking our modern pathologies (and the perceptions of same) to historical circumstances. Some will be put off by the title alone. Fine, this isn't for you. This book is for those of us who are trying to understand the world in which we live. I urge the people who find value in this book to give a copy of it to a young black male in your life. And, if possible, send one to an inmate. A major part of solving the problems within the African American community involves first agreeing what they are (we're pros at this), determining why they occur (Boothe helps here), and proposing effective solutions. Get to work people. Thank you Demico Boothe for putting your thoughts to paper. Who knows how many lives you just saved. Readers, ask yourself why prisons are run as businesses with profit and loss projections. Ask yourself how and why the US prison population evolved from largely white to largely black in such a short run. Read this book. Read Douglas Blackmon's "Slavery by Another Name" Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II. Read Kathryn Russell's "The Color of Crime". The Color of Crime (Second Edition): Racial Hoaxes, White Fear, Black Protectionism, Police Harassment, and Other Macroaggressions (Critical America). Force the tough questions, identify the real answers, and create effective solutions.

really great and informative book. I really enjoyed reading it and mr demico boothe is a very well informed and gifted brother whom I wish all the best to.I would hope that mr boothe would view these comments.

This book should be required reading for all Americans, but especially African-Americans. Lots of knowledge and info about the subject that you won't get in the media. EVERY black person, male or female, who is in prison should read this, every drug dealer, every single mother, every gangbanger, every black congressperson and lawmaker, every black businessman, and every so-called scholar that wants to speak on the subject of criminality and imprisonment and lawmaking. This is the truth coming straight from the horse's mouth.

The book was very informative. As a Black Man in America I know of or heard of too many young black men who has been incarcerated. The author's story of how he became incarcerated was shocking. After reading this book it gave me a clear understanding of how policies affect our lives.

The author gives a very good explaination why so many young black men continue to engaged in the drug trade despite the risks.

The Black church should required their members to read this book to understand the effects on the black commuinity and perhaps they will understand why they can't find a decent man.

At a time when selective affluence, alleged equality, and proclamations of color-blindness abound, brother Demico Boothe exposes the harsh realities of life for millions of black men in America. His insights and conclusions are not drawn from the shelter of a university library or coffee shop. His life on the streets and prison is combined with a profound analysis of how white supremacy, free enterprise and violence have impacted black males in America. Boothe's perspectives may make some folks uncomfortable. But discomfort and agitation is what we need if we are to change and system that consigns black men to prison, drugs, and early death at rates much higher than college or employment. His work demands that we step forward and resolve the burning question of his book, Why ARE so many black men in prison?

I really enjoyed this book. Well written, well researched, and in many respects it helped that the author was speaking from personal experience. This book explains a lot; gives over a lot of information on a wide variety of subjects and relevant issues. An excellent read for anyone.

I cannot say enough good things about this book! It is truly a must read, if you want to understand how to curb the problems of crime and high incarceration rates. On the subject, Mr. Boothe leaves no stone unturned, no relevant question unanswered, and no culprit unblamed, and I truly appreciated that kind of "realness" because it is rare indeed in today's times. Truly a must read for everybody!

I think Mr. Boothe makes a compelling argument to why "Civil death policies" should be done away with. He touched on a subject matter that is rarely talked about in polite conversations. The succesful reintegration of formerly convicted people is presently a hot topic of discussion today in academic and advocacy circles. The United States of America is finally coming to grips that simply "Locking people up" is not good for our communities or economy. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to his next book.

Eric M. Deadwiley
Author: "Civil Death in New York State, How
New York State Utilizes Criminal Conviction
Records to impede the Economic Growth of
Formerly Convicted People."