Book Review: A Question of Freedom

by Reginald Dwayne Betts
4.5 of 5 stars

Everyone should read this book. In particular, anyone who has anything to do with the judicial system should read this book. This is the story of an intelligent young man who spent many of his formative years for a felony he admitted to committing. (And if you don't think he is intelligent, he fought for the right to take the bar exam to become a lawyer and now has a Ph.D. from Yale Law school.) 
This book will make you uncomfortable. That's good for you. It sure made me uncomfortable. But it made me think. I've always tended to side with maximum punishment for crimes. But I read this book because of cherished memories of my students at the alternative school. And now I wonder if prison would have helped them at all or if it would just hurt them more. Mental health is important. Anger management skills are important. Teaching children a love for learning is important. These are the things that will juveniles out of prison. And if you think race issues in America are fake? Read this book. It opened my eyes to a lot that I didn't see because, yes, I have white privilege. I hope to one day meet this author. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time. Thank you Dr. Betts, for opening my eyes.