Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001
From: Speak Out <katya@speakoutnow.org>
Subject: Speaking Tour with Elaine Brown
Dear Friends,
SPEAK OUT is planning a speaking tour featuring Elaine Brown, a
former leader of the Black Panther Party and a long-time activist and
author (see bio below). The tour is slated for Black History Month in
February 2002 and beyond in conjunction with the release of her
much-anticipated new book "Condemnation of Little B," which examines
the case of a 14-year old sentenced to life imprisonment for a crime
he did not commit. Please contact Speak Out for details on costs and
scheduling.
Thank You!
Katya Min
Elaine Brown
Elaine Brown became, in 1974, the first and only woman to lead the
Black Panther Party. In her autobiographical memoir, "A Taste of
Power: A Black Woman's Story," she recounts her life from the ghettos
of North Philadelphia to her leadership in one of the country's most
important and militant civil rights groups. Currently the book is
being developed by producer Suzanne de Passe as an HBO movie.
Now with her forthcoming book "The Condemnation of Little B" (due out
February from Beacon Press), Brown examines racism in the United
States through the case of Michael Lewis, "Little B," a 14 year-old
African American boy condemned to life in prison. The story of
"Little B" is a riveting one, and an example of the particular burden
racism imposes on Black youth. Brown met Lewis and began
investigating details of the case, uncovering how the prosecution
railroaded the boy in their search for a quick, symbolic conviction.
Brown also examines the role of the press in molding public sentiment
and portraying "Little B" as a "super-predator." Brown cites studies
and cases from all over America which reveal how much more likely
youth of color are to be convicted of crimes and to serve long - even
life - sentences, and ironically how deeply the new Black middle
class is implicated in this devastating reality.
General Topics Elaine Brown can address:
African Americans
Black Panther Party
Civil Rights Movement
Police Brutality, Abuses
Political Prisoners
Prisons, Prisoner Abuse
Racism
Women & Feminism
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