Black Brown and White: Stories Straight Outta Compton

Black Brown and White: Stories Straight Outta Compton chronicles the lives of three friends from different ethnic backgrounds including their unique individual experiences while coming of age in Compton California during the 1960s and early 70s. Against the backdrop of the nations civil rights and black power movements Compton quickly transitioned from majority White to majority Black and became known as the Murder Capital of the United States. Although the girls grew up together they experienced Comptons transformation very differently. Their experiences left indelible marks on their later development into adulthood a warning to those who would minimize the effects of violence on other young lives today. As our country struggles yet again with highly charged racial tension not seen since the 1960s the timing of this book could not be better: it offers a real-life example of how finding common ground with those who are from different cultural backgrounds can lead to a lifetime of mutual caring and support. This book will appeal to those who appreciate books about urban history racism and social justice books from underrepresented voices or coming-of-age memoirs. It will also be useful to academic programs in English California history ethnic studies and race and social justice discussions.