Uprising

By Sister Shah'keyah and Yusuf Jah

Book Overview

From the authors of Nation Conscious Rap comes a powerfully raw, intimate history of gang life in South Central L.A. In detailed interviews, gang members of the Crips and Bloods open up on a wide range of issues, including the bonds of the gang brotherhood, the significance of gansta rap, the despair of welfare, and the scourge of drugs. A powerful and shockingly candid account of South Central Los Angeles's notorious street gangs, as seen through the eyes of men who escaped their grip and are now working for peace and unity in the Black community. This explosive book brings to life the brutalizing and exhilarating experience of gang life through the voices of the gang members themselves. Thirteen former Bloods and Crips talk about the solutions to the culture of killings and drive-by shootings, the scourge of drugs in their communities, and the often justifiable distrust of the police. Their words will compel everyone to acknowledge the urgent need to put an end to the blatant racism and violence in our society.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684825376
• ISBN13: 9780684825373
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Life ain't all you think it is

This book is not understood by many people, mainly the white race is taking charge of black men in gangs, yeah many of us black men today gang bang today, and what are you all going to do about it? the only thing I can tell y'all is to take this seriously and you know this is a black thing, we are taking charge of our lives cuzz.

Out dated book good history though

Great history of gangs, everything in here is true. Except a lot of these guys talk about coming together as black people against the oppressive white man. Total garbage. Why get together against the white man? What kind of ingorance is this?They seem to love their gang history as well, unfortunately gangs are pretty pathetic. They are not like the mafia at all, nothing romantic with these people, they are just poor people who are drug crazed and kill each other over 5 dollar bills, or simply because of a stupid color?

An eye opening book that informs and inspires.

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.