Slapped by Injustice

by W.F. Redmond

Even the dream of college, sports, and a personal commitment to his mother could not prevent Duane Freeman from falling victim to the lure of his neighborhood’s vice and violence in Compton, California. 
Betrayed by his childhood sweetheart and his best friend, he is arrested for attempted murder and ushered into the largest human warehousing system in the United States — the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Rather than fall victim to mindless prison politics, learned helplessness, and slow death so many young Black men in the system were trapped in, Duane discovers his true self, reaffirms his heritage, and finds his personal dignity as he transforms his character. 
After serving seven years of his ten-year sentence, he returns to the streets a focused man with a plan. Despite growth in making good choices and decisions, Duane is put to the ultimate test when history repeats itself: will he go forward, or will disappointment overrule his judgment and cause him to revisit the dark, foul pits of hell?

380 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2012

About the author

W. F. Redmond was born in the backwoods of Arkansas, the eldest of eight children, whose parents’ lives were anchored to the cotton fields. But it was on the streets and playgrounds of Compton, California, that Redmond came of age. His daughter, six grand-children and four great-grands inspire, challenge and keep him young at heart. His work is also dedicated to his mother Rosie Lee, and his sisters, Amy, Jackie and Sharon, all of whose lives were cut far too short. He spends his days working at and striving to improve his craft. He is the author of the critically acclaimed two novel set, Compton Connection Books 1 and 2; the mid-west urban thriller, All is Fair in Hate; and the soon to be released, Arkansas Has Rainy Nights Too. He tells us that, “I have only just begun. The best is yet to come!”

Reviews

[Victoria Law]

Author W. F. Redmond is a black man who has spent 40 years in California’s prison system. He is still in prison today with . One might not expect someone in his situation to have an optimistic outlook. But Redmond does. Just look at the name of his protagonist: Duane Freeman.

Slapped by Injustice opens with a paroled Freeman already working as a janitor in a high-end mental hospital. Freeman is well-liked by his colleagues and supervisors, none of whom hold his prison record against him. He lives with his girlfriend Graciela, whom he met while in prison, and her three young children, who adore him. Even his parole officer likes him. His life seems like nearly every incarcerated person’s dream of coming home.

Then Freeman discovers a psychiatrist sexually abusing a patient. He wrestles with the dilemma of whether to keep his head down and keep his job or speak up and suffer the consequences. After all, what is the word of a black ex-felon against that of a well-respected, frequently published white psychiatrist? Like many others returning home from prison, Freeman grapples with trying to earn enough money to support his new family as well as navigating his relationship with Graciela and her family.

Full review (a joint review with Sin Soracco's Edge City is here: http://www.newclearvision.com/2014/01...

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The story and characters are engaging and developed. The subject matter is very relevant as so many people have been affected by the criminal injustice system. It is no longer something that can remain hidden.