Blue vs. Black: Let's End the Conflict Between Cops and Minorities

By Catherine Whitney and John L. Burris

Book Overview

Many of us believe that cases of police brutality are isolated events, having no bearing on our own lives. But incidents of cop violence against minority citizens have become far too common everywhere... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312203926
• ISBN13: 9780312203924
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Blue VS Black by John L. Burris, et al

I applaud John Burris' book, Blue VS Black. The book did not shock me, probably because I had the advantage of being an insider when much of what Mr. Burris describes was going on. What does amaze me, however, is the attitude of denial expressed by the former Oakland officers reviewing the book.I am the author of Blackjack and Jive-Five, a book that chronicles many of the internal barriers faced by black police officers as they struggled to become part of the Oakland Police Department in the early 1970s. White officers did not want them and were in no mood to accept more than just a token few-so you can imagine the furor that affirmative action unveiled. I was a white sergeant in that department, one who helped to recruit and train these fine, young black men, and one who also tried to help them assimilate into an overwhelmingly white-majority police culture. It was a brutal time for those black officers. So, this question comes to mind for those persons who criticize John Burris' book as being fictional, slanted, and self-serving: If so many white Oakland officers could not even be civil to the black persons within their own ranks, how can the abuse of black citizens be denied??There indeed was abuse toward blacks-both internally and externally-and it was widespread. Moreover, if I shock some by stating this, consider the fact that abuse would have been much worse had it not been for a very tough police chief during the late 60s and early 70s who would not tolerate open racism and did everything within his power to control that which was clandestine. Mine is a sad commentary, but true. It amazes me that other former Oakland officers reviewing this book can have lapses of memory about the racial issues brought forward by Mr. Burris. I read a borrowed copy of the book, but have since purchased a copy for my personal library. I am sure I will consult it many times during my future writings.

Something to think about

I have read some of the negative reviews about Blue Vs. Black, and I completley disagree with these reviewers. I found the book to be full of insight about the things that CAN happen to citizens at the hands of those paid to protect us. The book offers material that gives the reader some serious issues to consider. I believe the author's reform solutions weren't intended to be the last word in criminal justice, but were simply meant as a starting point and spring board for others thoughts on reform. It is so easy to criticize...I read everything from, "his facts were off on the dollar amounts won by plaintiffs" to "he wrote this book to make money because he's not a good lawyer". Instead of being critical, I suggest we use this book as a starting point to focus on police/community conflicts.

A powerful and to the point account of police horrors

I don't know if Oakland is truly representative of an American city, as far as the police's community relations are concerned, but I was nonetheless shocked that such a city really does exist. How can any city function when its citizens have as much to fear from the police officers as criminals themselves? This book basically blew away any remaining idea that things just couldn't be as bad as all that. The testimonies, all by law-abiding, often commendable characters, were severe and to the point. That is, too many good people have been severely wronged and no one seems to be accountable. Mr. Burris doesn't make the mistake of blaming every police officer and goes out of his way to assert that most cops are good cops. But he recounts a problem that runs rampant, of which most people in this country, myself included, was largely unaware. What police force could justify savage beatings in front of small children, or the use of a police cruiser to knock down a fleeing "suspect" who later turns out to be one of their own ( who was only identified by chance, lying in his cell bloody and badly injured ). Rather than leave the matter at that, Mr. Burris has a lot of concrete ideas for solutions, and his goal in the end is a police force that is essentially there to help its community. In realising this, he has more optimism than I.

EVERYONE Should Read This Book

Abner Louima, Amadou Diallo, Rodney King, the list of names who have been victims of police misconduct goes on and on. A beautifully written, heart-breakingly honest look at one of the most sensitive issues our country--no, the entire world--has to look at and deal with. Racism, hatred, and bullying have all got to end. There are young children walking around who have already felt hatred. They feel it, and they express it, too. It's a vicious cycle. Kids grow up knowing there is hatred, division, and prejudice surrounding them. There are people that will wish to do them harm because they are of a different color. Isn't that amazing? Blue Versus Black makes it clear that it's not simply a matter of it being the police officers' fault. The police are put out on the streets under the worst of circumstances, and are expected to always make the right decision. They are in a no-win situation. As it's made clear in the book, we should applaud the efforts of the police. We need the police. We need to help the police make their jobs easier and safer. The community can help. Everybody should read this book. It was beautifully written, a compelling, honest, and moving book. I recommend it highly.

Powerful and balanced examination of a tough issue

Civil Rights Lawyer John Burris'Blue Vs. Black rails against injustice, and provides ways and means of changing a system that permits sometimes shameful behavior by a culture that too often condones and justifies it. Blue Vs. Black offers many examples of police brutality, yet maintains the ability to see beyond the obvious, and offers excellent suggestions by police experts on ways to change a system that allows such behavior to take place. This is a beautifully written, compelling piece of work. It offers a powerful and balanced look at an incendiary issue. But lawyer Burris isn't a firebrand. His integrity and honesty snatches this book out of the hands of extremists and haters, and places it instead in the hands of those who wish to promote positive change and better relations between minority communities and the police. Poignant, touching, and insightful.