Free Downloads Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters Of George Jackson
A collection of Jackson's letters from prison, Soledad Brother is an outspoken condemnation of the racism of white America and a powerful appraisal of the prison system that failed to break his spirit but eventually took his life. Jackson's letters make palpable the intense feelings of anger and rebellion that filled black men in America's prisons in the 1960s. But even removed from the social and political firestorms of the 1960s, Jackson's story still resonates for its portrait of a man taking a stand even while locked down.
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Chicago Review Press; New edition edition (September 1, 1994)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1556522304
ISBN-13: 978-1556522307
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #77,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #42 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Essays & Correspondence > Letters #57 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Regional U.S. > West #219 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > African-American & Black
I first read this work nearly thirty years ago, and at the time I was so moved by the passion and pain contained within it that I could barely speak about it...it seemed almost too real, too personal to bear...especially after George Jackson was denied the romance of his life (Dr. Angela Davis) and murdered for allegedly trying to "escape" from Soledad Prison-really to nowhere, if you look at what happened.In retrospect, I am sure that years from now this work will be studied by a different educational system...not with his communist vision (where else might he have found his political haven?), but a system which will value the perspective of even its lowest common denominator, if intelligently and thoughtfully expressed. In the meantime, I suspect this work is too strong for the average reader and student of American society. But read it for its extradinary exhibition of love. It's extraordinary recitation of pain, lonliness, and disappointment. Read it because it shows, no- takes you inside the mind of one who saw and knew and lived our system at its most brutal level.Ultimately, Mr. Jackson reveals how one man's strength and humanity renders our stone walls (literal and figurative) powerless over the human spirit. George's passion, will, love, and commitment will one day be vindicated.
George Jackson was our modern day Barrabas. He was truly a man whose mental capacity was far more advanced than he ever realized. The tradegy of his brother Jonathan Jackson hits so close to home. This is a MUST READ among all of the current good work out there. Get it and read it with your soul...
George L. Jackson's oeuvre is a honest, brutal appraisal of the amerikan prison system that victimized and eventually murdered him in 1971. As stated in the introduction by the author's nephew, Jonathan Jackson, Jr. his words are still, unfortunately, relevant today vis-a-vis Mumia Abu-Jamal, the privatization of the prison system, etc. Worthy of a careful reading along with the Angela Davis Autobiography. Truly revolutionary words that survived his death and will presage his revindication.
The Comrade George Jackson had a mind of Brilliant Scholar, unquestioned Discipline, and the writing skills of a wise poet. Awesome book!! If you want to learn about racism (white supremacy), read this book with an open mind and it (white supremacy system) will unfold right in front of your eyes. True Revolutionist!
Soledad Brother was an insightful glimpse into the mind of George Jackson, a Black man in America who had varied experiences, all of which placed him outside of the norm. Since childhood he appeared to have a rebellious spirit, which caused him to engage in harmful behaviors, and eventually led to him becoming a criminal - and prison inmate. While imprisoned, George Jackson became an outspoken critic of racism, and a revolutionary who was a strong advocate for communism. By reading the book, which contained his letters to family and friends, readers can gain insight into experiences of which they have no knowledge.Throughout Soledad Brother, George Jackson repeatedly spoke about the racism that Blacks experienced in society, and inside of the prisons in which he was housed. Things seemed to be particularly bad for Black inmates because not only did they have to endure racism from their fellow inmates, but also from racist prison guards who formed alliances with inmates of their race to express their hatred towards Blacks.In Jackson's letters to his parents, he was very critical of his father, who he felt had was docile and submissive to racism, and received nothing beneficial in exchange for his obedience. That aroused angry feelings within Jackson, who appreciated the fact that his mother appeared to be more willing to challenge racism than his father. Jackson seemed to believe that regardless of how Blacks were abused and discriminated against, they should continue to maintain their identity and fight their oppressors.By the time that Jackson was murdered, he had served in prison around 10 years of a life sentence for robbery. His sentence seemed to have been unreasonably harsh due to racism, which was likely the catalyst for Jackson transitioning from unrepentant criminal to revolutionary. The letters in Soledad Brother reveal both the promise for intellect that exists for people who have been discarded by society, and the causes for resentment possessed by Blacks who have endured racism. Additionally, it shows Jackson's strength. It's a testament to his strength and character that he was able to maintain his sanity after enduring years of living in solitary confinement in prison under inhumane conditions.
It is a first person commentary on the judicial system in America ... an indeterminate to life sentence for stealing $70?? He was a youngster born into a country whose history against people of color is flawed. This young man's ability to describe his life before incarceration and then to vividly paint his life while incarcerated makes me wonder what he would have become had he been allowed to flourish to his old age. This is a must read. I have yet to finish reading it as I feel it deserves a slow read in order to absorb the intent of his words. May he rest in peace.
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