Told through the powerful stories of Black lives that were ravaged by racism, this manifesto holds 10 demands to rectify racial injustice
Told through his perspective as an activist, acclaimed commentator Solomon Jones tells the stories of real people whose lives and deaths pushed the Black Lives Matter movement forward. He explains how each act of violence was incited by specific instances of structural racism, and details concrete and actionable strategies to address crimes committed by our “justice” system.
These stories and strategies are a critical resource for social justice activists looking to further their anti-racist education. These 10 demands form an actionable plan that is necessary to repair our racist past, change the racist present, and bring justice to the future:
- George Floyd: Pay financial reparations to Black communities that have been damaged by legalized racism.
- Michael Brown: Use consent decrees to reform police departments that demonstrate a “pattern or practice” of racism and police brutality.
- Hassan Bennett: Offer compensation for all those who are wrongfully imprisoned.
- Breonna Taylor: Require functioning body cameras and ban no-knock warrants.
- Eric Garner: All police disciplinary and dismissal records must be made public.
- Alton Sterling: Change federal law to allow prosecution of flagrant lawbreakers within police departments.
- Tamir Rice: Use independent prosecutors to eliminate prosecutorial conflicts of interest.
- Trayvon Martin: Eliminate stand-your-ground laws.
- Deborah Danner: Defund the police and move funds to trained social workers, mental health professionals, and conflict resolution specialists.
- Sandra Bland: End racial profiling.
“Jones is a naturally compelling writer . . . A persuasive, neatly packaged Black Lives Matter primer.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A brisk and impassioned call for America to ‘right the wrongs of a past that is littered with laws meant to subjugate African Americans.’ This cri de coeur rings loud and true.”
—Publishers Weekly
PREFACE
Black in the System
1
George Floyd
Why We Demand Reparations
2
Michael Brown
The Case for Consent Decrees
3
Hassan Bennett
The Case for Compensation
4
Breonna Taylor
The Case for Body Cameras
4
Eric Garner
The Case for Public Records
6
Alton Sterling
The Case for Changing Federal Law
7
Tamir Rice
The Case for Independent Prosecutors
8
Trayvon Martin
The Case for Stand-Your-Ground Laws
9
Deborah Danner
The Case for Defunding the Police
10
Sandra Bland
The Case for Ending Racial Profiling
EPILOGUE
Acknowledgments
Notes
- “Black community struggles to process race, policing in wake of Tyre Nichols beating,” KYW Newsradio, author quoted in article
- “As another Black man dies at the hands of the police, a lesson in whom the system stands up for,” Philadelphia Inquirer, op-ed
- “Sandra Bland and Her Life Before She Became a Hashtag,” Beacon Broadside, blog
- “Ten Lives, Ten Demands with author Solomon Jones,” KUT 90.5/NPR (Austin), interview
- “Philly’s civil forfeiture lawsuit may provide a road map for reparations for Black America,” Philadelphia Inquirer, op-ed
- “Will Smith and Chris Rock should have both known better,” WHYY, op-ed
- “Will Smith Apologizes to Chris Rock for Slapping Him at Oscars,” CNN, live author appearance discussing his WHYY op-ed
- “Solomon Jones,” Tavis Smiley Show, interview
- “Ten Lives, Ten Demands with Solomon Jones,” WURD-FM, book chosen for January Book Club selection
- “Drafting a fresh blueprint for racial justice,” Philadelphia Inquirer, op-ed
- “Buzz Books Fall/Winter Preview: Nonfiction Part 2,” Publishers Marketplace, book included in Buzz Books Fall/Winter nonfiction preview