This past spring, the SPIRIT Initiative hosted its first book club spotlighting When Crack Was King: A People’s History of a Misunderstood Era by Donovan X. Ramsey. In this book, Donovan X. Ramsey traces the path from the last triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement to the devastating realities we live with today: a racist criminal justice system, continued mass incarceration and gentrification, and increased police brutality. Weaving together riveting research with the voices of survivors, When Crack Was King is a crucial reevaluation of the era and a powerful argument for providing historically violated communities with the resources they deserve.
This discussion will be the final meeting for this book. We will focus on chapters in Act VII through Act VIII (p. 264-367); however, reflections across the entire book will be welcomed and encouraged.
We’re excited to co-host Donovan X. Ramsey with the Columbia Journalism School!