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A review by euangepp
If They Come in the Morning: Voices of Resistance by Angela Y. Davis
5.0
Within this sublime collection of essays, letters, courtroom statements and poems (Ericka Huggins can WRITE), the conditions within Californian prisons, the broadening definition of a “political prisoner” and a person’s right to self-representation in court are all examined through the lenses of the lives of Black radicals such as Bobby Seale, the Soledad Brothers and Angela Davis. It shows how unjust the justice system was (still is) and contemplates whether “innocent until proven guilty” has ever really been the case for Black people.
This book deserves five stars purely for its significance as an historical document but it also shines a light on and causes us to think about the modern day justice system - has much really changed?
I would highly HIGHLY recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about the Black struggle in the justice system/more about the lives of key Black radicals in the 70s. Overall it is not hard to follow (although there are a couple of obscure references to events/people but it does not really impede on your understanding of the subject matter). In certain places - specifically in regards to the details of Angela Davis’ imprisonment and the details of the Soledad Brothers’ case - it can seem repetitive but it wasn’t so much so that it warrants a star to be taken off. Truly a fantastic collection!
This book deserves five stars purely for its significance as an historical document but it also shines a light on and causes us to think about the modern day justice system - has much really changed?
I would highly HIGHLY recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about the Black struggle in the justice system/more about the lives of key Black radicals in the 70s. Overall it is not hard to follow (although there are a couple of obscure references to events/people but it does not really impede on your understanding of the subject matter). In certain places - specifically in regards to the details of Angela Davis’ imprisonment and the details of the Soledad Brothers’ case - it can seem repetitive but it wasn’t so much so that it warrants a star to be taken off. Truly a fantastic collection!