James Forman Jr. Books
James Forman Jr. is a professor at Yale Law School and a former public defender in Washington, D.
Known for: Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America
Books by James Forman Jr.
Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America
In 'Locking Up Our Own', James Forman Jr. explores how decisions made by Black leaders in the 1970s and 1980s contributed to the rise of mass incarceration in the United States. Drawing on his experience as a public defender and extensive historical research, Forman examines the complex interplay of crime, race, and politics in Washington, D.C., showing how well-intentioned efforts to address violence and drugs inadvertently reinforced punitive policies that disproportionately harmed Black communities.
Read SummaryKey Insights from James Forman Jr.
Historical context: The post–civil rights crossroads
After the triumphs of the civil rights movement, Black Americans entered a new and bewildering era. In Washington, D.C.—a city that would soon gain its first Black mayor, Walter Washington, and later Marion Barry—many believed that political power would finally bring safety and justice. Yet by the m...
From Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America
The politics of gun control
To understand the politics of gun control among Black leaders, we must begin with history—the memory of self-defense born in the Jim Crow South. Many Black Americans, especially those who had lived through the terror of white supremacy, regarded firearm ownership not merely as a right but as a neces...
From Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America
About James Forman Jr.
James Forman Jr. is a professor at Yale Law School and a former public defender in Washington, D.C. His scholarship focuses on criminal justice reform, race, and education. 'Locking Up Our Own' won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
James Forman Jr. is a professor at Yale Law School and a former public defender in Washington, D.
Read James Forman Jr.'s books in 15 minutes
Get AI-powered summaries with key insights from 1 book by James Forman Jr..