Customer Reviews

The Condemnation of Little B

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

 

 

Elaine Brown presents much more than the title suggests. Rather than restricting herself to the case of Lil B (Michael Lewis) by itself, she places this case in a setting of racism, both in history and in our time, nationally and in Georgia, in such a way as to challenge both the white power structure as well as the African American community to face up to our abdication of responsibility for the marginalized, especially the adolescent African American males. The handling of the case of Lil B is symptomatic of this abdication, beginning with Atlanta's blindness to the existence of the Bluff (a drug infested block of west side Atlanta); moving on to the self-absorbed ambition of some of the African American leadership; and ultimately indicting the white power structure's arrogance rooted in the so-called brilliant insights of Thomas Jefferson on the subject of African Americans. Brown is well versed in her subject, articulate in expressing her views, and forthright in calling for action from all segments of our contemporary society. Brilliant piece of work.

I read this book for a college book and loved it so much that I encouraged all my friends to read it.

I was really disappointed in this book. I'm not sure why my expectations were high, but I live in Atlanta and I vaguely remember this case. While I know little of Elaine Brown, I can say for sure she can't write and her thinking is muddled and hystrionic. I don't doubt her passion for the subject matter, but I found her theme difficult to factually support. Michael Lewis grew up in horrible conditions, no question, but her theory of a set-up or his victimization just made no sense. Skip this.

I purchased this book for myself and my teen-aged son to read. I found it hard to swallow that any kid could grow up in an enviroment such as this one had, although I know it happens. I couldn't imagine my own child having to fend for himself as this kid had to. A ward of the state by the age of 11, he experienced a "hard knocks life" and that's an understatement. Accused/convicted of murder at the age of 13, he found himself facing life in prison.

Elaine Brown took it upon herself to investigate the case of Micheal Lewis (lil B) who by this time had been labeled a "super predator". Elaine Brown delivers his story, no holds barred, in your face, facts vs fiction.

It's a compelling story, one that needed to be told/read. Brown, herself is the former chairwoman of the Black Panther Party. She authors this story on the basis of the beginning of racism throughout history to the present. She exposes just how deep, rampant racism was and still is, including inside the black race. It can be a confusing read at times, but the bottom line is, Lil B may very well be innocent, the victim of a modern day lynching. His fate/case deserves a re-trail. This is a story I want my son to read, in due time.

The Condemnation of Little B was the best book I have read yet. I think that the book shows basically what all black boys go through evey day in black America. I realy did understand the consept of the whole story. Little B was just a 13-year-old boy when he was acussed of killing a man that he siad that he did don't