Product Description

African-American males are being imprisoned at an alarming and unprecedented rate. Out of the more than 11 million black adult males in the U.S. population, nearly 1.5 million are in prisons and jails with another 3.5 million more on probation or parole or who have previously been on probation or parole. Black males make up the majority of the total prison population, and due to either present or past incarceration is the most socially disenfranchised group of american citizens in the country today. This book, which was penned by Boothe while he was still incarcerated, details the author's personal story of a negligent upbringing in an impoverished community, his subsequent engagement in criminal activity (drug dealing), his incarceration, and his release from prison and experiencing of the crippling social disenfranchisement that comes with being an ex-felon. The author then relates his personal experiences and realizations to the seminal problems within the African-American community, federal government, and criminal justice system that cause his own experiences to be the same experiences of millions of other young black men.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #77309 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Review
"Good Book!" --Michael Baisden, The Michael Baisden Show

"About time somebody wrote a book like this!" --Dick Gregory, Legendary comedian, activist, and author

"Clearly one of the most important publications regarding the plight of black males in America of the past quarter-century.....a book that is a must-read for anyone remotely interested in pulling back the layers upon layers of misinformation, ignorance and apathy both within our community and without; indeed, by those who, in the words of James Baldwin, want to see what s really going on in America." --Eric Croomes, The Village Report

"In his new book, Boothe eloquently addresses why so many black men are being incarcerated in prisons across America. He explains that U.S. politicians and the American government allow the prison industrial complex to use prisoners as cheap labor. The companies within this complex system also benefit because the federal government pays them for a variety of services. These companies therefore profit from the mass incarceration of black men. Speaking from personal experience he describes some unfortunate circumstances. He says black men are often targeted and perceived as criminals because of stereotypes on TV, and in the movies and newspapers. This hurts self-perceptions and what society thinks about black men. Boothe also talks about his own experience as a drug dealer and life behind bars. He reveals how poverty, an inferior education and limited job opportunities lead to a life of crime. Boothe admits he made bad choices along the way. But, during his 12 year jail sentence he raised his mind and changed his thinking by reading and studying a variety of books. It is this transformed thinking that freed Boothe from his emotional and spiritual jail cell." -- -- ----Tri-State Defender

"I recommend that all African-Americans read this book...I learned so much that I had to mark up my own personal copy with highlights of passages that I found profound." --Dr. Ed Yancey, Chaplain for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Professor of African and African-American Studies, University of Memphis, Strayer University

"I found this book to be thoughtful and enlightening, also a wonderful collection of factual information about the American criminal justice and prison systems. As a prison clergyman, I find this book to be a significant addition to my library. I can truly say that there is no inmate who would not benefit by reading Mr. Boothe's books and applying the principles." --Imam Addul-Rahman Sabir, Director, AIMC (Assisting Incarcerated Muslims Corp.)

"Excellent...the unvarnished truth." --Steve Seibert, Director of Policy, Collins Center for Public Policy

"Poignant" --The Houston Press

"In his new book, Boothe eloquently addresses why so many black men are being incarcerated in prisons across America. He explains that U.S. politicians and the American government allow the prison industrial complex to use prisoners as cheap labor. The companies within this complex system also benefit because the federal government pays them for a variety of services. These companies therefore profit from the mass incarceration of black men. Speaking from personal experience he describes some unfortunate circumstances. He says black men are often targeted and perceived as criminals because of stereotypes on TV, and in the movies and newspapers. This hurts self-perceptions and what society thinks about black men. Boothe also talks about his own experience as a drug dealer and life behind bars. He reveals how poverty, an inferior education and limited job opportunities lead to a life of crime. Boothe admits he made bad choices along the way. But, during his 12 year jail sentence he raised his mind and changed his thinking by reading and studying a variety of books. It is this transformed thinking that freed Boothe from his emotional and spiritual jail cell." --Tri-State Defender

"Poignant" --The Houston Press

About the Author
Demico Boothe is considered by many to be an expert on the criminal justice system as it relates to African-Americans. He served 12 consecutive years inside of federal prison and was released in November of 2003. During his incarceration, he read over 500 books and dedicated his time to study, writing, and mentoring other incarcerated African-American males about the need for lifestyle/ mentality change. Since his release, he has been mentoring young minorities at halfway houses, rehabilitation centers, jails and schools.

Customer Reviews

(RAW Rating: 4.5) - What is happening to black men?
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

Why are so many Black Men in prison?
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.

EVERY ONE MUST READ !!!!
WE need more right-thinkers like Mr. Demico Boothe , his book WHY ARE SO MANY BLACK MEN IN PRISON ? Answers the question and it's very ,very well researched and is packed full of statisics(facts) that can't be disputed by any right - thinking person(s). This book is a MUST READ,and should be required reading for every young AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN in grade school and up that's living in the united states of americKKK .Thanks Mr. Demico Boothe for doing a good job and writing a well THOUGHT OUT,POWERFUL,and PROVOCATIVE BOOK !!