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Crips: The Story of the L A Street Gang from 1971-1985

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SOUTH CENTRAL L.A. CRIPS is the story of why nearly 10,000 people were destined to get killed during the 1970's, 80's and 90's in a social explosion that began in L.A. then spread across this nation and, indeed, the world. This is the story of O.G. Jimmie Black (aka O.G. Bobby Johnson in the movie), who evolves during those explosive years in South Central L.A. from the Watts Rebellion (1965) to just prior to the days that sparked the L.A. Uprising (1992). It is the story of a father and son's triumph in the midst of America's most deadly gang war.
"Bakeer's story moves swiftly, and his writing is deft", Gayle Anthony, LA. Sentinel.
"I loved the book and the movie." Tupac Shakur. "The novel CRIPS by Don Bakeer corrects your assumptions about the gangs." LA Weekly.
Many of the characters personify the collective spirit of the Original Crips/ O.G.'s and specifically that of Raymond Washington, the founder. But, even more than that, the characters represent the rebellious spirits of Bunchy Carter, Stanley (Tookie) Williams, Ice T, Ice Cube, Tupac, Nipsey Hussle, and Sanyinka Shakur (aka Monster Cody), etc.
Bakeer collaborated with Oliver Stone, Steve Anderson, and Warner Bros. to develop the classic fi lm, SOUTH CENTRAL (1992) from this book, yet, the movie only tells a small portion of the true story.
Hajji* Donald Bakeer, 77 and father to 9, has been a poet in Los Angeles for over 50 years and taught secondary school English in South Central L.A. for 30 years. He is, now, retired from teaching and lives in Inglewood,
CA. He made the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1997.
His South Central L.A. CRIPS - The Story of the L.A. Street Gang ($8.99);
PTSD! Who, Me? ($7.99), and his songs are available at donaldbakeerbooks.com

195 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 1987

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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
3 reviews
March 23, 2022
Interesting look at the rise of a street gang

My main complaint about this book: its too short. I want to know more about what happened to the main characters, their family and the different gangs. The story jumps back and forth between a father and son but the transitions were not logical to me.

Two good characters were introduced too late. I want know more about Mr. Bilal and Weldon.

Nonetheless enjoyed the read. Learnt a lot about life in south central.

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review