Locking Up Our Own facts for kids

Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America is an important book from 2017 by James Forman Jr.. It explores a complex part of American history: why some Black leaders in the 1970s supported tough new laws aimed at making cities safer. This book won two big awards, the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction and the Lillian Smith Book Award.

What the Book is About

This book looks at a time in the 1970s when many people were worried about safety in their communities. To try and make things better, the United States started what was called a "War on Crime." This meant creating stricter laws and sending more people to jail.

A New Look at History

Usually, when people talk about these tough laws, they focus on how they affected Black communities. But James Forman Jr. shows a different side. He explains that some Black leaders actually supported these new laws. They hoped these laws would help make their neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Why Leaders Supported Tougher Laws

In the 1970s, many Black communities faced serious challenges. Some leaders believed that stronger laws were needed to protect their families and neighbors. They wanted to reduce harm and create more peaceful places to live. The book explores their reasons and the difficult choices they faced.

The Unexpected Results

Forman's book also looks at what happened after these laws were put in place. While the goal was to improve safety, the number of people in jail grew a lot. Many of these people were from the very communities the laws were meant to protect. The book helps us understand this complicated history and its lasting effects.

About the Author

The author of Locking Up Our Own is James Forman Jr.. He is a professor of law at Yale Law School. This means he teaches about laws and how they work.

Forman's Background

James Forman Jr. has a special connection to this topic. His parents were important leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. This movement worked to end unfair treatment and gain equal rights for Black Americans. Growing up with this background helped him understand the history of justice and fairness in the United States.

Why He Wrote This Book

Forman used his knowledge of law and history to write this book. He wanted to help people understand the different reasons behind the tough laws of the 1970s. He also wanted to show how these laws affected communities, especially Black communities, in ways that were not always planned.

Awards and Recognition

Locking Up Our Own has received important awards for its detailed research and new ideas.

The Pulitzer Prize

In 2018, the book won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. The Pulitzer Prize is one of the most famous awards for books, newspapers, and music in the United States. Winning this award means the book is considered a very important and well-written work of nonfiction.

The Lillian Smith Book Award

The book also won the Lillian Smith Book Award. This award celebrates books that explore issues of justice, equality, and human rights. It shows that Locking Up Our Own is seen as a book that helps us think deeply about fairness in society.