Dispelling Myths and Exploring the Impact of the Crack Epidemic

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This chapter delves into the myths surrounding the crack era, such as crack babies and the death of Lynn Bias. It highlights the consequences of these myths, including the creation of legislation that unfairly punished crack users. The chapter also explores the personal experiences of growing up in a high crime neighborhood during the crack epidemic and reflects on the misguided solutions implemented.

Donovan X. Ramsey is a journalist and author of the new book When Crack Was King: A People’s History of a Misunderstood Era.

“I've only ever wanted to write about Black people—and that includes the elements of our lives that are difficult. I’ve always prided myself on being able to metabolize that information and not really be harmed by it. And this book really taught me that writing and processing is not just something that you do in your head. That the information does go through you as you're trying to make sense of it. And it's not happening to you, right? It's not like a direct form of PTSD that you have, but you do experience some trauma when you open up your imagination in that way.”

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