Product Review

A story of ghetto youth growing up in the city of Compton, California, a place where the navigation of daily life is literally, a tightrope between life and death.

Born and Raised in the Streets of Compton is a true story based upon many events among the urban black youth growing up amidst poverty in the notorious city of Compton, California. This story follows the path of a second generation Crip member, who weaves his journey into the context of the United States sociological history and governmental action that propagated the birth and escalation of gangs and gang violence, now careening out of control.

This work represents the personal history of a young black man's struggle in the context of racism, poverty, and violence, serving as a valuable historical resource. Included is a report released by the United States Senate Select Committee on COINTELPRO's activities against the Black Panther Party and Martin Luther King Jr., in 1975, along with another report that outlined a plot to dismantle stability in the black community. Finally added, is a historical break-down of the evolution of street gangs from the 1930's to the present, which includes a complete compilation of gangs and gang territories in the United States as well as statistical material and an extensive reference listing.