Customer Reviews

In Defense of Mumia

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I give this book a 5 star rating. It's that good. S.E. Anderson and Tony Medina have put together a mesmerizing collection of poetry, art and prose that rekindles the kind of passionately political wrting that dominated the literary landscape of the 1960s and '70s. Not only do you have giants such as Gwendolyn Brooks, Toni Morrison, Sonia Sanchez, Jayne Cortez, Amiri Baraka, June Jordan John Edgar Wideman and Cornel West to name a few of the older generation of writers,but you have new up-and-coming hotshots like Ras Baraka, Mike Ladd,Asha Bandele, Suheir Hammad, Paul Beatty, Kevin Powell and Tony Medina himself. This is a book for everyone interested in socially committed art. It is also a worthy cause...to defend the life of a fellow writer, intellectual and political activist who was sent to death row with little or no evidence when the trial he was given was not fair. This anthology leaves one with the nagging question: How many innocen people are sitting on death row because they weren't able to pay for a competent defense like, say, O.J.? If the system is allowed to execute Mumia, then what will follow in the urban areas of these as-yet-to-be-united states will be a fate worse than that which preceeded the assasinations of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "In Defense of Mumia" is a book that clearly and boldly warns of a fire this time.

"In Defense of Mumia" is one of the most comprehensive political anthologies to come out of the U.S. literary cannon these last few years of the 20th century. It is easy to see why: with writers as diverse as Toni Morrison, Gwendolyn Brooks, E.L. Doctorrow, Dennis Brutus and Jan Carew to name a few, one can't help but wonder if this is the measuring stick by which future anthologies will be judged. For we are headed for some serious turbulence in the coming years. There is no room for American artists to not take a stance on social issues where justice and equality are at stake. Readers deserve more works like this that allows for a greater understanding of the machinations of wealth and its various death machines, protecting its money. The U.S. Judicial System should be taken to task on the floor of the U.N. for the obvious railroading of writer/political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal. Anderson and Medina should put together more anthologies that are not afraid to challenge private property and cultural imperialism. "In Defense of Mumia" is a must read and a must have...no doubt about it!!!

From reading some of these myopic reviews, it is obvious that they come from people who clearly haven't bothered to read the book they claim to review. Rather than basing your review on television programs such as 20/20 (they always get it right?) or resorting to some uninformed knee-jerk reactions, it might be helpful to READ the impressive body of poetry and prose that Anderson and Medina have painstakingly collected. IN DEFENSE OF MUMIA offers readers a diverse array of distinguished contributors, from Gwendolyn Brooks to Toni Morrison to Nat Hentoff to E.L. Doctorow and several emerging, new writers. Within its pages these authors address many issues that move the discussion beyond Mumia the Man into a much larger arena that encompasses police brutality, the privatization of prisons, and the disenfranchisement of prisoners, to name only a few. It is a timely and much-needed collection, especially considering the dangerous times in which we live. In a nation where Proposition 21 passes, allowing cops to arrest young children...in a nation where an innocent, unarmed man can be ruthlessly murdered (shot 41 times) on his own doorstep--without impunity--...in this nation we can ill afford not to support progressive literature such as the anthology, IN DEFENSE OF MUMIA. Buy this important book and judge for yourself, don't allow others to make the decision for you.

"In Defense of Mumia" is one of the most powerful political anthologies to emerge since LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka) and Larry Neal's "Black Fire." The confluence of writers, artists, activists and poets of all ages and cultural and politcal backgrounds is amazing. It is an anthology that needs to be taught in high schools and colleges across the country. With over 140 voices contributing their creativity, compassion and courage to save Mumia Abu-Jamal's life, while simultaneously leaving a body of work that must be added to the cannon of not only Black literature, but of American literature as well is an incredible achievement; particularly when we live in such politcally backward times. The death penalty is anti-human. It is used to illiminate poor people, people of color and, of course, revolutionaries like Abu-Jamal, who was clearly framed. If the powers that be in the state of Pennsylvania feel so certain that Abu-Jamal is guilty of murdering Officer Faulkner, then why won't they allow for a new trial? I guess, according to the powers that be in the state of Pennsylvania, his radical ideas are so threatening they would rather risk killing an innocent man. For all you educators and those seeking literature that is strong and speaks truth to power, get this book, pass it out to friends and families, give it to your students and mentees and youth of color everywhere, so that they will know what good, strong political writing is. At a time when the mainstream publishing houses are producing and promoting pablum, "In Defense of Mumia" is a refreshing occurrence that needs to be supported. It has won an award from the American Booksellers Association,in the category of poetry, has been taught in universities across the country and, most importantly, its proceeds go to Mumia Abu-Jamal's defense fund. Much respect to Anderson and Medina for their wonderful selfless effort and achievement. Long Live Mumia Abu-Jamal!!!

This book speaks to the need for people of color to protect our men from being railroaded by America's so-called justice sytem (read "just us" system). And this need is even more evidenced by the New York City cases of Patrick Dorismond and Amadou Diallo who ultimately lost their lives. In Mumia's case, we as people at least still have the chance to save his life and liberate him.

Rarely do you find an anthology with such diversity and depth (in terms of aestheic styles, varying genres and class and ideological views)all in one unififed, politically focused artistic expression. S.E. Anderson and Tony Medina's "In Defense of Mumia" marks the continuum of a literary movement where art is functional and used not to coerce, indoctrinate, trivialize or pervert history and distort reality, but used, as here (in "In Defense of Mumia") to defend the life of a poltical prisoner on death row, Mumia Abu-Jamal, himself a writer of strong moral and political convictions and committment, framed and railroaded by a judicial system with a history of legally (and physically) lynching Black people. As we move closer to the 21st century, we need more books like this, filled with artists on the front lines reporting on the times, documenting, in art and protest, what the people think and feel. These are scary times, and we need courageous artists that are not afraid to testify and bare witness.

It is of upmost importance in todays society of privatized imprisonment to respect the freedoms and liberities of all individuals. The rights of each American become jepordized by a system that empowers police to make policy decisions based on racial profiling and stereotypes. Any decision to arrest much less kill by the sanctioning of the state such an active political figure must be questioned and scrutinized as to its purposeful objectives and intentions. This book does just that and in doing so it deserves our analytical attention.

Look, it is time to set the record straight. I am against the death penalty, and admit the U.S. justice system is flawed and corrupt, but MUMIA IS GUILTY. All you idiots who want to free this cold-blooded killer are as ignorant as any white supremist. Study the case, carefully, like I did, and you will uncover the truth. He killed Faulkner, and he recieved his fair trial. Somehow, hundreds of thousands of people have allowed themselves to be sucked into supporting this murderer. Listen, Mumia supporters, read the case, not garbage propaganda like this book, and make an unbiased judgement. You really are fools if you waste one more breath on this guy. There are people truly innocent on death row who deserve your help more.

A load of political illiterates preening themselves would be an apt description of this absurd and evil book. At no point do these highly paid performers deal with the clear evidence of Mumia's cop-killing - literally, he was found with a smoking gun.

Mumia Abu-Jamal is one of the most incisive political thinkers this nation has ever produced. His insightful essays and illuminating journalism has consistantly challanged this country's power structure on its racist policies. Mumia's voice has been one of a phrophet calling a wicked pharoah to task --warning this nation that if it doesn't create a more just and humane space for all of its citcizens, especally its poor that it will eventually fall to its dirty knees. The State (i.e. the powers that be) has seen fit to reward Mumia's work with a trumped up charge and a death penalty that is as racist as it is inhumane (statistically, more poor people of color end up doing life and recieve death sentences than do whites even though numerically more whites commit violent crimes) "In Defense of Mumia" is a powerful anthology that gathers together some of the nation's most talented poets and writers. All of whom have donated their time, talent and work to help raise funds for Mumia's defense. Noted poets such as Amiri Baraka, Allen Ginsberg, Sonia Sanchez along with younger poets such as Kevin Powell and Tony Medina (who BTW is the co-author of this fine book). As for the guy from London, well let's just say he lives a hell of a long way to be telling us what's going on here in America. He sounds like a deadbeat racist, who has nothing to do but surf the net and write a pack of lies about things he knows nothing about. I'll bet that his mama is down with Mumia....if not surely his wife.