I received “Crack: Rock Cocaine, Street Capitalism, and the Decade of Greed” by David Farber for review, courtesy of Cambridge University Press. Unlike others who have reviewed this book, my loved ones’ stories and my own experiences are interwoven within its pages. For days, even weeks, the book sat on my living room coffee table. Its bold, white letters spelling out “CRACK” seemed to mock my secret struggles. Many reviews led me to believe that this book was not just for scholars or those looking to gain an understanding of societal ills. It was a guide that would help me comprehend the world I continue to navigate.
For me, “Crack” serves as more than just a literary piece; it’s a therapeutic guide that has deepened my understanding and aided in my healing. Farber delves into the harmful policies of Ronald Reagan’s era, like Reaganomics, which allowed the wealthy to flourish while impoverishing the Black community. Farber also discusses the “War on Drugs” led by Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, which disproportionately jailed African Americans for longer sentences compared to white convicts. Through “Crack,” I learned how the drug was deliberately introduced into impoverished communities, enriching the already wealthy while trapping African Americans and Latinos in a cycle of poverty.
Each chapter granted me a better understanding of the complex factors contributing to my family members’ struggles with crack cocaine. Before reading the book, my life felt like an incomplete puzzle. Now, I feel as though many missing pieces have been put into place.
David Farber, a history professor at the University of Kansas, examines crack as both a social and economic phenomenon of the 1980s and early ’90s. His research includes interviews with individuals who either used or sold crack, revealing stories of underprivileged souls who turned to the drug as a means of survival. These narratives resonated deeply with me, as I have lived on both sides of this issue: as the child of a family member addicted to crack and as the young girlfriend of a crack dealer.
Farber’s book serves as a revealing guide, shedding light on the systemic injustices that have marginalized African American and Latino communities. It acts as a blueprint for understanding the intentional ways government and societal structures have contributed to these issues.Crack” is more than a history book; it is an indictment of a system that has, for decades, failed to provide equal opportunities and justice for all its citizens.
The book’s academic rigor, combined with heartfelt interviews, creates a compelling narrative that speaks to a wider audience. It’s not just academics or policy makers who should read this; it should be required reading for anyone wanting to understand the complexities of American society, especially when it comes to racial and economic disparities.
In conclusion, David Farber’s “Crack: Rock Cocaine, Street Capitalism and the Decade of Greed” is a monumental work that sheds light on an often-misunderstood period in American history. It has allowed me to reflect on my personal experiences, offering a lens through which I can reassess and come to terms with the past. It provides a detailed account of the crack era, contributing to the broader conversation on race, poverty, and drug policy in America. I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a deep, comprehensive understanding of how systemic issues can impact individual lives and communities.
ISBN 9781108425278 222 pages Hardcover/$24.95
Now Available https://www.cambridge.org/cg/academic/crack
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