In terms of addressing crime issues in the black community, the dominant political class has historically refused to endorse the full slate of reforms along lines of education, economic security, housing, etc, necessary to address the root causes. — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
The only news most people ever hear about the inner city comes from grim headlines; the only residents they can name are characters on 'The Wire.' Of course, ignorance of a community doesn't stop outsiders from having opinions about it… — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
Attica. The name itself has long signified resistance to prison abuse and state violence. — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
At the end of the day, I think my story is, we need black officers because African-Americans need a fair shot at good jobs… — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
One consequence of racism and segregation is that many American whites know little or nothing about the daily lives of African Americans. Black America's… — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
Most people that take jobs as police officers are taking them because they're good jobs. Many who go into these jobs are doing it… — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
Actually creating a positive school climate, particularly in schools that are in communities that are themselves not calm and orderly, is hard work. — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
A black man of my generation born in the late 1960s is more than twice as likely to go to prison in his lifetime… — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
I clerked for a judge, William Norris, on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals right after law school and then for Justice O'Connor the… — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
I find it very frustrating how much passing the buck there is in the criminal justice system when it comes to taking responsibility for… — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
You can get rid of the teacher certification requirements, and you're still not going to have a rush of incredibly high-quality people going into… — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
How come we never use prison, the failure of prison, as a reason not to give more prison? There's never a moment where we… — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
We rarely have good alternatives to offer to prison - that's our default. — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
“Mass incarceration is the result of small, distinct steps, each of whose significance becomes more apparent over time, and only when considered in light… — James Forman, Jr Copy Share Image
