Not Guilty Twelve Black Men Speak Out On

Patrick Dorismond, Abner Louima, and Amadou Diallo -- hear what a jury of prominent African Americans has to say about the black man's struggle for justice in America

Prompted by the killing of Amadou Diallo and the acquittal of the four New York City police officers who mistook him for an armed criminal, this collection of essays by prominent black male writers offers twelve unique and startling perspectives on what it's like for a black man living in an inherently racist society.

Coming from a broad spectrum of economic and social backgrounds, the poets, journalists, lawyers, writers, and academics that make up this jury write forcefully and eloquently about growing up and raising sons, identifying with others and yearning to be set apart, attempting reasonable discourse, and succumbing to unspeakable anger. Together these essays deconstruct the monolithic myths that shroud our nation's black men and offer small rays of hope that on the streets, at school and work, and in the courtroom justice will be served.

Using the shooting of Amadou Diallo and the subsequent trial as a springboard, each essay in Not Guilty considers what it is like to be a Black man facing the American justice system.

For these men -- from novelist E. Lynn Harris to a former police officer -- watching the Diallo shooting and trial and acquittal of four officers prompted a variety of responses. Some were appalled, others were shocked, and others felt confirmed in their belief that the justice system does not deal fairly with Black men in America. The essays in Not Guilty are as provocative as the subject matter itself -- probing, painful, and always enlightening.

Jabari Asim is the author of the critically acclaimed T