Black History : ‘Black Silent Majority,’ by Michael Javen Fortner

[Clyde C Coger Jr]

In the Spirit of Sankofa,



BLACK SILENT MAJORITY
The Rockefeller Drug Laws and the Politics of Punishment

By Michael Javen Fortner

Illustrated. 350 pp. Harvard University Press. $29.95.


... In the end, it is undoubtedly true that black people dislike criminal behavior. But to say, as Fortner does, that working- and middle-class black folks “renounced racial ties and denounced previously held progressive beliefs” in the 1960s because of crime victimization overstates the case and oversimplifies black life. Black people despair and hope, crave vengeance and forgive, seek security and justice — sometimes all at once and almost always beyond the reach of the bulk of evidence, consisting of news stories and survey results, presented here ...


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/b...t-majority-by-michael-javen-fortner.html?_r=1

In 1967, the Upper Park Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem provided armed protective services for residents as part of an anti-crime initiative.CreditMeyer Liebowitz/The New York Times


...

 

[chuck]

Only after black people of my generations became adults etc

Did even more than a minority of us

Also who became black activists

Truly able to decide who was worthy enough to lead us anywhere

Others were found out to be sellouts and traitors in our midst too

I also hope and pray today's young black activists have much better luck

fyi

 

[chuck]

In the Spirit of Sankofa,



BLACK SILENT MAJORITY
The Rockefeller Drug Laws and the Politics of Punishment

By Michael Javen Fortner

Illustrated. 350 pp. Harvard University Press. $29.95.


... In the end, it is undoubtedly true that black people dislike criminal behavior. But to say, as Fortner does, that working- and middle-class black folks “renounced racial ties and denounced previously held progressive beliefs” in the 1960s because of crime victimization overstates the case and oversimplifies black life. Black people despair and hope, crave vengeance and forgive, seek security and justice — sometimes all at once and almost always beyond the reach of the bulk of evidence, consisting of news stories and survey results, presented here ...


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/b...t-majority-by-michael-javen-fortner.html?_r=1

In 1967, the Upper Park Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem provided armed protective services for residents as part of an anti-crime initiative.CreditMeyer Liebowitz/The New York Times


...

We can only hope that those who claim to be past or present black movement activists etc have already done their homework too

The film american gangster may well be both a reality check and a wake up call for those who didn't or don't choose to

fyi

 

[chuck]

Since the drug trade has also become a part of black culture and life for several decades

Far more is needed than just more study groups and thinktank generated proposals etc

fyi

 

[Clyde C Coger Jr]

I also hope and pray today's young black activists have much better luck

Only after black people of my generations became adults etc

Did even more than a minority of us

Also who became black activists

Truly able to decide who was worthy enough to lead us anywhere

Others were found out to be sellouts and traitors in our midst too


fyi

Likewise, my heart goes out to the new Black Activists.


...