UPRISING: Crips and Bloods Tell the Story of America's Youth In The Crossfire (Hardcover)

by Yusuf Jah (Author), Sister Shah'keyah (Author), Ice-t (Introduction) "Q: How did the organization of South Central Love come about?..." (more)
Key Phrases: big homie, gang peace, teen posts, South Central, Los Angeles, Black Stone (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Somewhere within this turgid set of street-lingo interviews with L.A. gang members are some interesting anecdotes and words of wisdom: about the importance of decolonizing black minds, of getting out of the "circle" that contains even the likes of Bill Cosby; about using excellence to combat racism; about the importance of black self-help; about how alcohol may be more dangerous than other drugs; about the love and camaraderie that balances more negative gang experiences. But the authors, a husband-and-wife team of independent rap producers, seem to have turned on the tape recorder without providing sufficient context for their tales (e.g., we're not given enough information on the oft-mentioned L.A. gang truce). Nor do they challenge their subjects to explain their often loopy Afrocentrism ("I'm an African that has been kidnapped, living in America," says one). The 14 interviewees, all men, have transcended their pasts to work now for peace; would that their efforts were dignified by journalism, not stenography. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
There's been a truce among black gangs in L.A. since the riots, and a change of heart among certain key individuals, 14 of whom speak their minds in this forceful and arrestingly positive collection of interviews. Jah and Sister Shah'Keyah ask good questions and get solid, well-reasoned, and productive answers from former gang bangers committed to helping channel the energy wasted in gang activities into endeavors that can enrich and empower African American communities laid low by black-on-black violence, drugs, and a virtual cessation of education. Many of these men have survived two decades of destructive gang life, and all have, as Playmate says, "done a 360." Playmate, Red, and all the other articulate spokesmen gathered here explain the magnetism of gangs, deplore the escalation of violence and drug abuse, and describe the revelations that turned them into peace-seeking activists. By emphasizing worthwhile values inherent in gang life--love, loyalty, leadership, and, yes, entrepreneurship--instead of sensationalizing the bloodshed and machismo, Jah, Shah'Keyah, and their courageous interviewees offer hope and viable paths toward change. May they be heard. Donna Seaman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Scribner (November 3, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684804603
• ISBN-13: 978-0684804606
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,278,537 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eye opening book that informs and inspires., October 14, 1996

By A Customer

This book taught me more about the inner workings of gangs than any newspaper article or magazine piece I have ever read. Finally I have begun to grasp what is truly going on in the hearts and minds of gang members. It is a mind opening book and I encourage all people to read it especially educators.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Uprising..., February 16, 2006

By	T. Jenkins "Serious" (West of Medical Center, South of Highland) - See all my reviews

This book promises much and delivers so little. The stories told by some very notable names are all to often filled with fabrication aimed at building up their street legend or neighborhood. Most prominently the account of the crips as told by Jimel Barnes falls into this category. Big Jimel weaves a tale which is so transparently false that it left me wondering if the man was suffering from signs of dementia. In retrospect I suspect it is merely an advanced case of meglomania.

The remainder of the book brings little to the table in terms of substance and meaningful anserws to the problems facing the mutltitude of young men engaged in senseless acts of violence against their own. If you are a thrill seeker or gang groupy looking for alittle direction how real L.A. gang members act and dress then this one is for you. For those seeking true depth and anserws, unfortunately you won't find them here.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Propaganda at it's finest, April 11, 2007

By	Steven Sikorski - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Uprising (Paperback)

Truthfully this is probably one of the worst, if not the worst, books I have ever read. It was filled with blatant biases condemning the entire white race on largely unfounded and ridiculous claims, and served as an unwavering advocate for black racism promoted by figures within the Nation of Islam, particularly the racist beliefs of Louis Farrakhan. This book was nothing more than a shameless plug for the Nation of Islam and provided virtually no insight in the area of gang history. Rather the book served to detail a series of prejudicial interviews with past gang members about how the end gang violence, which simply reiterated common knowledge that has been presented through a multitude of media outlets for decades.