'The Black Agenda' and 'Solitary' tackle criminal justice reform

NPR's Book of the Day

NPR

Arts, Books

4.2 • 671 Ratings

🗓️ 25 February 2022

⏱️ 17 minutes

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Summary

In interviews with the authors of The Black Agenda and Solitary, the issue of criminal justice reform is central. First, writer Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman talks about an essay collection from Black writers that tackles issues the U.S. faces today – that stem from racism and racist policies. She told NPR's Leila Fadel the book is arguing for the humanity of Black people. The second interview is with Alfred Woodfox, who served 43 years in prison – most of those in solitary confinement — for a crime he says he didn't commit. Woodfox told NPR's Scott Simon he struggles with claustrophobia even now.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, it's NPR's Book of the Day. I'm Andrew Limbaugh. Today, we're going to do a zoom out and a zoom in on one of the country's biggest and hardest to tackle issues, criminal justice. In a bit, we'll hear an interview with Alfred Woodfox, who spent most of 43 years in solitary confinement at Louisiana's Angola Prison. I'm just going to say that again,
0:23.4	43 years in solitary confinement, and he was wrongfully convicted. But first, a broader look.
0:30.7	Anna Grifty Opoku-Ajuman has edited a collection of essays under the title The Black Agenda.
0:36.6	Each one highlights the work that black scholars have
0:39.3	been doing on big, complex issues like climate, education, and public policy. In this interview
0:46.1	with NPR's Lela Faddle, Opoku Aegemin points out that, while yes, there is a dedicated section on
0:51.9	criminal justice. If you look closely, the issue comes up in
0:55.3	every section of the book. In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily
1:01.6	life. Distant wars, murky conflicts, diplomacy behind closed doors on our new show, sources and
1:08.2	methods. NPR reporters on the ground bring you stories of real people,
1:12.5	helping you understand why distant events matter here at home.
1:16.4	Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:22.1	In the Black Agenda, bold solutions to a broken system, writer, researcher, and activist Anna Gifty Apoku Aji Man pulls together a collection of essays from black scholars and experts.
1:34.1	These thought leaders ask questions and pose solutions to complicated issues that range from climate policy to criminal justice reform.
1:41.8	The throughline, race and the systemic racism that has informed
1:45.3	U.S. policy for more than 400 years. Anna Gifty Apoku-Ajima joins us now. Thank you for being here,
1:51.3	Anna. Thank you so much for having me. Well, you know, we need to talk about this book,
1:57.1	which really tries to do so much through these essays. Why this book? Why now?
2:03.6	So the Black Agenda, in my opinion, is giving a really compelling case for the humanity of
2:09.2	Black people. And I think a lot of times when Black folks, especially Black experts, are
2:14.3	trying to make that case in the mainstream or in public discourse, they're often
2:18.0	dismissed or silenced. And a lot of times people say, well, you know, you're black. How can you be
	...

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