Profound meditations on life, death, freedom, family, and faith,
written by radical Black journalist, Mumia Abu-Jamal, while he was
awaiting his execution. "Uncompromising, disturbing . . .
Abu-Jamal's voice has the clarity and candor of a man whose
impending death emboldens him to say what is on his mind without
fear of consequence."—The Boston Globe "A brilliant, lucid
meditation on the moral obligation of political commitment by a
deeply ethical—and deeply wronged—human being. Mumia should be
freed, now."—Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Alphonse Fletcher, Jr.
University Professor & Director of the Hutchins Center for
African & African American Research at Harvard University "A
brilliant, powerful book by a prophetic writer . . . his language
glows with an affirming flame."—Jonathan Kozol, author of Death
at an Early Age and Rachel and Her Children Journalist and activist
Mumia Abu-Jamal has been imprisoned since 1982 for the killing of a
police officer, a crime he steadfastly maintained he did not
commit. In 1996, after serving more than a decade on death row, and
with the likelihood of execution looming, he began receiving
regular visits from members of the Bruderhof spiritual community, a
group of refugees from Hitler's Germany. Inspired by these
encounters, Mumia began to write a series of personal essays
reflecting on his search for spiritual meaning within a society
plagued by materialism, hypocrisy, and violence. "Many people say
it is insane to resist the system," writes Mumia, "but actually it
is insane not to." This expanded edition of Death Blossoms brings a
classic, influential work back into print with a new introduction
by Mumia, and includes the entire text of a groundbreaking report
by Amnesty International detailing the legal improprieties and
chronic injustices that marred his trial. Praise for Death
Blossoms, Expanded Edition: "For years in my classrooms I have
watched Death Blossoms do its luminous work. It has awakened the
conscience of so many of my student readers. Once awakened, they
begin to shoulder the disciplines of its revolutionary knowing,
moral passion, historical precision and clarity of reason. No
wonder repressive powers seek death for this prisoner of
conscience. Alas for them, Mumia still lives. From streets to
classrooms and back, Death Blossoms keeps opening up consciences,
hearts, and minds for our revolutionary work."—Mark Lewis Taylor,
Professor of Theology and Culture at Princeton Theological
Seminary, and author of The Theological and the Political: On the
Weight of the World "Targeted by the FBI's COINTELPRO for his
revolutionary politics, imprisoned, and sentenced to death, Mumia
found freedom in resistance. His reflections here—on race,
spirituality, on struggle, and life—illuminate this path to
freedom for us all."—Joshua Bloom, co-author with Waldo E. Martin
Jr. of Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black
Panther Party "In this revised edition of his groundbreaking work,
Death Blossoms, convicted death row prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal
tackles hard and existential questions, searching for God and a
greater meaning in a caged life that may be cut short if the state
has its way and takes his life. As readers follow Mumia's journey
through his poems, short essays, and longer musings, they will
learn not only about this singular individual who has retained his
humanity despite the ever present threat of execution, but also
about themselves and our society: what we are willing to tolerate
and who we are willing to cast aside. If there is any justice,
Mumia will prevail in his battle for his life and for his
freedom."—Lara Bazelon, author of Rectify: The Power of
Restorative Justice After Wrongful Conviction "Mumia Abu-Jamal has
challenged us to see the prison at the center of a long history of
US oppression, and he has inspired us to keep faith with ordinary
struggles against injustice under the most terrible odds and
circumstances. Written more than two decades ago, Death Blossoms
helps us to see beyond prison walls; it is as timely and as
necessary as the day it was published."—Nikhil Pal Singh,
founding faculty director of the NYU Prison Education Program,
author of Race and America's Long War "For over three decades, the
words of Mumia Abu-Jamal have been tools many young activists have
used to connect the dots of empire, racism, and resistance. The
welcome reissue of Death Blossoms is a chance to reconnect with
Abu-Jamal's prophetic voice, one that needs to be heard now more
than ever."—Hilary Moore and James Tracy, co-authors of No
Fascist USA!, The John Brown Anti-Klan Committee and Lessons for
Today's Movements
General
Imprint: |
City Lights Books
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Series: |
City Lights Open Media |
Release date: |
May 2023 |
Authors: |
Mumia Abu-Jamal
|
Foreword by: |
Cornel West
|
Preface by: |
Julia Wright
|
Introduction by: |
Mumia Abu-Jamal
|
Dimensions: |
177 x 127 x 20mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
248 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-87286-797-0 |
Categories: |
Books
Promotions
|
LSN: |
0-87286-797-8 |
Barcode: |
9780872867970 |
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