100:1 The Crack Legacy

by Christopher Johnson

100:1 The Crack Legacy investigates the war on crack in the mid-1980s and the devastation left in its wake. Host Christopher Johnson shares the experiences of the men and women who were on the frontlines - narcotics cops, ex- dealers, artists, community activists - to help explain the rise in incarceration, hyper-aggressive policing, and police shootings of unarmed people of color that we are experiencing now.

Genres: True Crime, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Crime

Audiobook

First published October 27, 2017

Reviews

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the failing war on drugs and the racism that it developed. I got a new understanding of how bad it has gotten. Basically it tells how police use race to determine who to stop and who to shoot and be exonerated.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good account of the legal effects of the 80's War on Drugs in America. The fact that crack cocaine was treated as 100 times worse than powder cocaine even though there wasn't as much of a difference. The difference is that powder cocaine was popular amongst the more affluent while crack cocaine was popular amongst poor, mostly black communities. But because of this, dealers in black communities were targeted disproportionately. The legacy of this is that the police view most black people as drug dealers making a disconnect between the police and the communities that they are suppose to serve. There are no solutions here, just an historical background to a modern problem. Yes, the government needed to deal with the drug epidemic in the 80's. However, as with most things, the way they went about it made things worse.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and powerful look at race relations and drugs in america in recent years.

[James Sheaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite good series of short, easily digestible episodes, which were illuminating and engaging. It was free with an Audible membership, and at that price I can easily recommend it.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illuminating listen about the haunting legacy of the war on crack.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening and heartbreaking!

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well done - left me with so many more questions.

[Aadya Dubey]

It's been a long war.
It's going to be a longer one.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

While there is some history and information in this, most of it was about racism, which of course is valid, but I do believe that a heck of a lot more could have been included.