Union Matters

Reports: Universal health care will contribute to racial equity

By STEPHON JOHNSON

Amsterdam News Staff

The phrase “universal health care” has been on the minds of many Americans for over a decade. The language from a new report by the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus and Campaign for New York Health urges the state assembly and the state senate to pass legislation ending medical debt. An issue that affects many low-income New Yorkers.

Released last and titled “Healthcare and Racial Justice: Systemic Change Is Needed for a More Equitable Health System,” the report states that universal, single payer healthcare plans would contribute significantly to racial equity providing New Yorkers of all races and ethnicities better health care across the state. With Black, Latinx and other ethnic minorities suffering from COVID-19 and dying at higher rates than white New Yorkers, better medical care wouldn’t have left people in the dark about what other ailments they have that might affect their reaction to a COVID-19 infection.

Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) were more likely than white people to be uninsured and have medical debt.

In New York City, Blacks were more likely to die of complications from pregnancy than white women with 63% of the deaths being preventable. And communities of mostly non-white people tend to have a lower number of medical providers.

The legislative caucus decided to act.

New York Health Act (S.5474), sponsored by State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, would establish a “comprehensive system of health insurance for all New York state residents.” Every New Yorker regardless of age, economic status or

employment could enroll in a health plan where there would be “no network restrictions, deductibles, or co-pays. Coverage would be publicly funded,” and it includes inpatient and outpatient care and primary and preventive care.

Rivera said that the issue of racial equity in the healthcare system needs to end now.

“If we are to effectively address the racial inequities prevalent throughout our healthcare system, we must radically change the way we deliver health care to New Yorkers,” Rivera said in a statement. “As the Campaign for New York Health’s new report further highlights, it is critical that we pass the New York Health Act to guarantee comprehensive

healthcare coverage to all New Yorkers and in that way, move the needle forward to eliminate our de facto two-tier system of care and truly improve our state’s health outcomes as a whole.”

According to a 2020 report from the Community Service Society of New York titled “How Structural Inequalities in New York’s Health Care System Exacerbate Health Disparities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call for Equitable Reform,” researchers found that not only did medical access, or lack thereof, contribute to racial equity, but it went hand in hand with housing policies with people of color in New York City more likely to live in crowded neighborhoods with low-quality housing and don’t have jobs where they can work remotely during the pandemic. CSS’s report also states that 75% of essential workers are people of color and more nonwhite communities have higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung disease and cardiovascular disease—all conditions that leave people more vul-

nerable to the virus.

Lisa Ohta, president of UAW Local 2325 - Assoc. of Legal Aid Attorneys, said that the state legislature needs to contribute in lifting the burden of medical debt from people of color.

“Racial disparities in health services are another way that racism affects the health of communities of color. This has been magnified by COVID-19,” Ohta stated. “Public health insurance programs play a major role in providing affordable care and better outcomes, especially for Black Americans. Comprehensive, quality, and affordable health care must be a legislative priority. ALAA, along with the Campaign for New York Health, joined the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus to urge our legislative leaders to bring the New York Health Act to a vote this session.”

Tonia Bazel RN, of the New York State Nurses Association’s Infectious Disease Unit, spoke about her personal experience with medical debt and what lack of access has done to her and her family members.

“Eight years ago, I had to file bankruptcy in order not to lose my home because of mounting medical bills, while on short term disability for having had two different surgical interventions on my back, consequences of the toll my work as a nurse has taken on my body,” stated Bazel. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell any of you about the longterm effect bankruptcy is having on this Black woman’s ability to be considered to have credit in good standing. I have many family members who have lost a limb or two because they can’t or couldn’t afford medical care, or they have died, much too soon, because they were among those who fall through the large fissures in our current healthcare system.”

New report shows racial disparities in medical care. Newly introduced state legislation looks to end that. (Photo courtesy of: Robin Gentry & Drazen Zigic of iStock)

More endorsements from unions looking to give politicians the labor push

By STEPHON JOHNSON

Amsterdam News Staff

More labor unions have announced endorsements leading up to the primaries.

Last month, AFSCME District Council 37 endorsed Congressman Jamaal Bowman for re-election in New York’s 16th Congressional District. Bowman is currently serving his first term in office.

“Congressman Jamaal Bowman is no stranger to the needs of public employees,” stated AFSCME DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “As a former public school principal and teacher, he is intimately familiar with the challenges and hardships faced by our members on a daily basis. I have faith that he will continue to be an advocate for workers’ rights and labor protections in Congress and work towards creating a society that holds solidarity at its core. Bowman quickly acknowledged and accepted the union’s endorsement.

“I am proud to be endorsed by AFSCME DC 37,” stated Bowman. “From road repairs to regulations, there are extraordinarily few things in the lives of New Yorkers that go untouched by a government worker. The fierce advocacy that DC 37 provides on behalf of these employees ensures that those who choose to serve their community are protected in the workplace.”

Bowman is currently being challenged by Vedat Gashi, a real estate attorney and Westchester County legislator. Gashi fashions himself as a moderate Democrat who thinks that the current congressman is too far left for his taste. dorsed by the New York City District Council of Carpenters. Gibbs, the incumbent, was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 608 for seven years. “The New York City District Council of Carpenters proudly endorses Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs for reelection,” said the union in a statement. “A former union carpenter raised by a single mother, Eddie understands the challenges working people face in his community, and the difference a family-sustaining career in the unionized construction industry makes. Union workers will have his back at the ballot box, and he will continue to have ours in Albany.”

Gibbs said that he was happy to receive an endorsement from a group where he still has ties.

“Once a part of the union carpenter family, always a part of the union carpenter family,” stated Gibbs. “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, whose members quite literally built this beautiful city we call home. Together, we are fighting to ensure working people and their families are not just able to get by in New York but able to thrive.”

Gibbs has also been endorsed by New York State United Teachers, Communications Workers of America Local 1180 and AFSCME District Council 37. He is the first formerly incarcerated individual to win a state assembly seat.

Eddie Gibbs, the first formerly incarcerated assembly member elected to office, was endorsed by the New York City District Council of Carpenters (Photo courtesy of Jack Lobel/Eddie Gibbs Campaign)

about the gentrification of Harlem, potential transportation issues at the nearby bus depot and train station, and a lack of parking in the neighborhood due to congestion. They heavily criticized One 45 developers throughout the meeting for adding on “misleading” “affordable” housing units that “weren’t really affordable.”

Developer Tristan Nadal and others said in

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

the meeting that they are striving to create the “first residential green energy district” in Central Harlem as a step towards addressing the environmental injustice in the area.

Elected officials and residents called the newly put out energy plans from developers, released Tuesday morning before the scheduled 10 a.m. meeting, a “last minute greenwashing” in terms of a promise of green energy jobs, clean energy efficiency, and mentorship programs.

The proposed building has commercial, community space, event space, and most controversially, will house the new headquarters for the National Action Network founded by famed civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton. The original plans from the developer included a Museum of Civil Rights, but the Civil Rights Foundation Inc. pulled out of the project on Monday, May 2 in favor of advocating for more affordable and senior housing units. “We have decided to pursue the two other very live, viable options for the Museum of Civil Rights to be at the size and commitment we want,” said Sharpton, who is cochair of the Civil Rights Foundation. “Our commitment to opening this museum in New York remains the same, because this May 12, 2022 - May 18, 2022 • 11 city has been the crossroads for all social justice and inclusion movements. We look forward to announcing a decision soon on a space that allows us to properly tell the story of civil rights in America.”

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Sundiata

Continued from page 4

granted Acoli’s release, ruling that he had been unlawfully denied by the parole board, as they had proclaimed that the elder posed a risk to public safety.

In their decision this week though, the Supreme Court determined that the grandfather, reportedly now living with dementia, showed no risk to public safety, or recidivism.

“Acoli must be released because the statutory standards for granting parole have been met, without regard to extraneous factors like sympathy or passion or public opinion.”

The Bring Sundiata Acoli Home Alliance praised the court’s decision.

“It’s time now for Mr. Acoli to live the rest of his life in the loving care of his family and community.”

Reportedly, Acoli plans to live with his daughter and grandchildren.

Lumumba Bandele, who also represents the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, told the Amsterdam News, “The correct standard of law was applied by the Court and affirmed the fact that the parole board improperly denied Sundiata Acoli’s petition for release eight times after he served more than 49 years in prison. In N.J., the burden of proof rests on the state to prove that the defendant poses a risk.”

Acoli had been deemed a political prisoner by the Malcolm X Commemoration Committee, the Jericho Movement, the late Herman Ferguson, and activists such as WBAI host Dequi kioni-sadiki and Lumumba Bandele. Acoli’s family and friends had always been in attendance of the community-led annual Political Prisoner Family Dinner Tribute and Fundraiser.

“The Parole Board’s decision to deny Acoli parole is not supported by substantial evidence in the record or by a reasonable weighing of the relevant factors in N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.11(b) that govern parole,” wrote the New Jersey Supreme Court justices on Tuesday. “Even under the most deferential standard of review, the Board has failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a substantial likelihood that, if released on parole, Acoli will commit a crime. Acoli must be released because the statutory standards for granting parole have been met, without regard to extraneous factors like sympathy or passion or public opinion. (pp. 53-55) REVERSED.”

Civil rights attorney Soffiyah Elijah said, “We applaud the New Jersey Supreme Court in granting Mr. Acoli’s freedom and correcting the parole board’s improper application of the law by denying his petition for release after serving more than 49 years in prison. It’s time now for Mr. Acoli to live the rest of his life in the loving care of his family and community.”

Sundiata Acoli v. New Jersey State Parole Board (A-73-20) (083980) was argued on Jan. 31, 2022, and decided on May 10, 2022.

While activists hail Acoli as a 1970s member of the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army, authorities determined that on May 2, 1973, Acoli was involved in a trooper traffic stop with comrades Zayd Malik Shakur (James Costan) and Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard). Police said they were all armed with handguns. Stopped around 1.am., allegedly from a broken taillight by New Jersey State Trooper James Harper, all went haywire when Trooper Werner Foerster arrived and, when padding Acoli down, found the gun. Cops say during the escalating confrontation Assata Shakur shot Trooper Harper in the shoulder. A shootout ensued between Harper, and both Shakurs.

The Supreme Court decision reports, “In the meantime, Acoli attempted to wrest Trooper Foerster’s gun from him. In the course of that physical struggle, Acoli claims that Trooper Harper fired at him, grazing the top of his head and causing him to black out. According to Acoli, when he regained consciousness, Trooper Foerster’s body was lying on the ground nearby.” Acoli and both Shakurs, then severely wounded, drove away. But soon afterwards Assata was arrested, Zayd died from his wounds, and Acoli was caught a day later. In separate trials both were charged with the murder of Foerster. Assata maintained that with gunshot wounds she could not have killed the trooper. Acoli protested that having lost consciousness after being hit by Trooper Harper’s bullet, he did not know what happened. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 25 years. He was denied four different times.

Assata Shakur’s name pops up every so often in the press and on campaign literature of certain politicos demanding that she be returned from Cuba where she escaped to in 1979, was granted political asylum, and also placed on the FBI’s most wanted list.

Dequi kioni-sadiki of the Spirit of Mandela Coordinating Committee told the Amsterdam News, “Words cannot express the joy and relief that comes with the Supreme Court decision to end the imprisonment of this 85-yearold elder. Sundiata’s release is a powerful reminder that we must never give up on the vision.”

Seen as a member of the liberation generation, the activist community is celebrating Acoli’s release after almost 50 years of incarceration. Writing on Facebook, healthcare warrior Emarie Knight bid Acoli, “Thank you for your service…welcome home.”

Lawyer Soffiyah Elijah said, “We appreciate and thank his thousands of supporters from the attorneys, individuals, and community organizations to those who submitted amicus briefs on his behalf to champion his freedom; freedom that is rightfully his. We strongly hope that Mr. Acoli’s freedom will bring attention to the thousands of elders like him trapped in the New Jersey prison system.”

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Our healthcare system has too many barriers for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and poor New Yorkers

By DR. MARYLOUISE PATTERSON

I have been a pediatrician for over 50 years, treating mostly working class and working poor Black and Brown families. Starting from my residency at Harlem Hospital in the late 1960s, I realized that the work of a dedicated doctor is more than just treating an earache or diagnosing strep throat. It’s also helping parents navigate our expensive and unnecessarily complicated healthcare system so they can take the best care of their families. It’s helping communities improve their health and the health of future generations. It’s advocating for necessary improvements in the health care facilities that serve them—I worked in one.

A new report released by the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus and the Campaign for New York Health, which is fighting for statewide universal health care for all NY residents, reveals how hard that is for communities of color. The report details how Black, Brown, Indigenous and other New Yorkers of color were hit harder by the pandemic due to long-standing inequities in decent health care, housing, food and fulltime jobs, also their lack of employer-paid health insurance resulting in significant medical debt.

Another recent study has reported 8,600 children in New York City lost a parent or caregiver to COVID. One in every 200 children! The brunt of that loss is on the shoulders of Black children who are 3.3 times as likely to have suffered a loss and together with Latinx and Asian children whose loss is almost 3 times greater than that for white children. Do we know what is happening now with those children? Where are they? Who’s providing for them? What’s the quality of their lives?

Quality preventative health care is expensive for families. When kids are sick, seeing the doctor is often a last resort usually because before the age of 10 they are frequently sick and going for care is disruptive to and onerous for the family routine. It wasn’t unusual for families to try home remedies first or ask a neighbor or local healer for

First Black woman governor on the Federal Reserve

While we patiently await the election of the first Black woman governor, we can celebrate the arrival of Dr. Lisa Cook as the first African American woman governor on the Federal Reserve. She was confirmed on Tuesday after Vice President Kamala Harris cast the deciding vote in a senate tie.

Cook’s confirmation is approved at a most propitious time with President Biden announcing that inflation is his top domestic priority. She joins six other governors on this independent agency who are responsible for promoting maximum employment, stabilizing prices, and keeping the inflation numbers down, and to what extent her presence will make a difference is debatable.

But her resume is overwhelmingly impressive, and if you’ve got an hour to spare you can follow a career path that began at Spelman College, where she graduated magna cum laude, to Oxford University, to the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal, and concluding at the University of California at Berkeley where she earned her doctorate in economics.

She is currently a professor of economics at Michigan State University, and her research has included

the disparities in lynching, rural segregation and racial violence. But more to the economic matters is her professional experience in banking with stints at the Federal Reserve Banks of New York, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis; the World Bank; the Brookings Institution; and the Institute for the Economy in Transition in Moscow, Russia. Her appointment is a harbinger that two other Biden nominees, EDITORIAL most notably Chair Jerome Powell, will also be confirmed. Cook’s opponents charged that she lacked sufficient experience in macroeconomics and monetary policy, which were the focus of her dissertation. She was challenged in the same way Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was viciously assailed by the Republicans, and it’s got to be exceedingly rewarding for Black women as Roe v. Wade is the buzz nowadays, to have another first set aside. Still, there are a number of firsts to be achieved. Take your seat at the Fed, Dr. Cook and your accomplishments will be additional inspiration and encouragement for thousands of Black females here and abroad. They should know that it is possible for a young Black girl from Georgia to rise to the highest plateau of banking, and possibly have a decisive impact on our economic affairs.

Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher

and Editor in Chief Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor Nayaba Arinde: Editor Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor

See HEALTHCARE on page 27

Black and Brown communities are choking

By SIRINA NAGI

Do you know what it’s like to silently struggle to breathe every day? To actually feel the polluted, congested air around you hindering your breath and knowing that your struggle is directly connected to your surrounding environment. Unfortunately, that’s the reality that a significant number of Bronxites live with every day and though I myself have escaped that fate, I fear that that is the future for my two-year-old son and soon-to-be born daughter.

When my family first moved to the Soundview area of the Bronx 13 years ago, we didn’t realize how much pollution we’d have to put up with. Our neighborhood is intersected by two major highways, the I-95 and I-278, more locally referred to as the Cross Bronx Expressway and the Bruckner. Our neighborhood also sits opposite Hunt’s Point, a major industrial area that sees an extraordinary amount of truck traffic. I grew up in East Harlem, where much like in my current neighborhood, the threat of asthma is much higher than in other parts of the state because of air pollution. Is it fair that I have to worry my son has asthma every time he coughs, or that I feel the need to purchase air filters for my home?

New York needs to fix its pollution problem! Most of this pollution comes from burning fossil fuels––in our cars, our homes, and at power plants. The resulting air pollution lodges in your bloodstream and doesn’t leave. The buildup can cause serious heart and lung disease. I don’t want my kids, or anyone else’s, to have to live among so much pollution, to struggle to breathe when running across the playground or while playing sports during gym. So as a mother, I ask myself, what can I do? And maybe, you are asking yourself that too, and luckily, the answer is, a lot.

In 2019, New York passed a historic law to address pollution and climate change, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The law has some of the most ambitious state-level emissions reductions targets in the country and promises to invest in disadvantaged communities like mine. But although the state’s emission goals are set and legally binding, the plan to reach those goals are not and this is where we, the people, can step in.

The CLCPA called for the formation of the Climate Action Council, a 22-person committee tasked with creating a ‘scoping plan,’ that will decide what steps the state will take to reach its goals. A draft plan has been released and the committee is now hosting public hearings to gather input on how to implement the law. People can also submit comments online or by email until June 10. This is a critical moment where we, the people, have a real opportunity to make our voices heard and influence a plan that will impact the health, safety and sustainability of our communities and families now and for generations to come.

I got involved in climate and energy issues for my kids. I want them to be able to enjoy nature like I do. I want them to grow up without worrying that the air they breathe or water they drink might make them sick. To make sure the CLCPA lives up to its promise of creating thousands of new jobs, reducing pollution, and protecting nature and the climate for generations to come, New Yorkers need to get involved in the public process. This law is our chance to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods that have faced an unfair burden of pollution for decades. It’s a chance to protect and expand our parks, to make utility bills more affordable and not reliant on volatile gas prices, to improve commuting times, to make our homes safer to live in.

Burning fossil fuels in our homes, our cars, and our power plants has caused immense damage to us all. We have cost-competitive and scalable technologies to electrify our way of life and save our planet. The fossil fuel industry desperately wants to convince us that we need to stick with their product, no matter how deadly it is to our kids and our climate. But the scale of investment that the CLCPA will provide, if we get involved and don’t let the fossil fuel industry write our future, will make New York a leader in clean energy, which means our communities will be at the forefront of the new opportunities created by the transition. Time is running out and the time for action is now.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the New York Amsterdam News. We continue to publish a variety of viewpoints so that we may know the opinions of others that may differ from our own.

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS

Former President Donald Trump remains the GOP front-runner in the next presidential election, but many have expressed they are amenable to another candidate if former-President Trump does not decide to run. Throughout President Trump’s four years in office, many supported him; as a member of the media, I was invited to the White House regularly and even interviewed him for a primetime special on my nationally syndicated program, “The Armstrong Williams Show.” With that said, I can’t help but raise a simple yet critical question: Is it time for someone other than Trump to take the helm? Someone who is similar to him in terms of policy and candor, but without as much of the unending turmoil that his policy and candor have afflicted on many Republican voters?

Throughout my years in—and in close proximity to—politics, it has become abundantly clear to me that our political system does not do an adequate job of fostering the next generation of leaders. We prefer to hold onto old ideals rather than push forward. I can appreciate how difficult it is to cede power, and I also can appreciate how hard it is for us as voters to move on to something new—especially when so many believe President Trump was treated unfairly by the media and political establishment throughout his term. We must, however, move forward and allow our elderly statesmen and women to enjoy their last winters. This does not imply they must fully withdraw from involvement; they can still counsel, mentor, and support the future generation of leaders.

President Trump has already shown his ability to raise enormous sums of money and is now using those resources to back Republican candidates and incumbents around the nation as Republican’s battle to reclaim control of the House and Senate. He is also helping candidates such as J.D. Vance on the most effective methods to communicate with and motivate his supporters. He’s demonstrating that his true power is perhaps greater than anyone anticipated, particularly those in the mainstream media, and that, unlike during his tenure in the White House, constant Democratic investigations and negative press will not and cannot impact his role in the Republican Party’s future direction.

According to some, the party needs fresh leadership. Someone who resembles Trump but is not Trump. In essence, a new generation of youthful leaders who speak to America’s future and unrealized potential. We need younger leaders capable of combating the filth of secularism espoused by the left. We cannot relinquish control of our cultural battles to Democrats and their fanaticism, which threatens to fundamentally redefine every cultural standard in our nation.

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, and former South Carolina Gov. Nicky Haley have all been suggested. They may very well be the Republican Party’s future. They are youthful, intelligent, and charming, and they demonstrate that the future is bright. They are the embodiment of what America should be. We each have our place, and we must all recognize when the time has come to pass the mantle.

Ron DeSantis is the most like Trump in his candor with the media and Democrats, but he has the experience and understanding necessary to be a successful executive. He is familiar with the bureaucracy associated with working in political institutions and is adept at navigating them in order to accomplish goals. For example, the junior senator from South Carolina, Tim Scott, could join forces with the anticipated GOP nominee, Ron DeSantis, on a DeSantis/Scott ticket. Considering their respective experience and policy, this would not be too far-fetched; not only would the two of them represent America’s present and future, but they would also bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the jobs they would each play. Conservatives would still see policies similar to those proposed by President Trump, and it would come wrapped neatly without a divisive persona. Additionally, it accords the former president the deference he deserves as a senior statesman and Republican Party leader.

With that stated, we should not be so quick to dismiss a dark horse candidate—that is, an unknown individual who emerges from the shadows to capture the limelight. Obama is a textbook illustration of this; Republicans must recognize that the major names are not the only competitors. Of course, it will not matter who runs on the Republican ticket as long as they bear the mark of the GOP. Regardless of their positions, intentions, or leadership qualities, they will almost certainly be presented in the same light as their predecessors—as members of all major political parties have the misfortune of absorbing. If Republicans can unite and support someone who is similar to Trump but is not Trump, they will avoid having to make excuses, manufacture justifications, or overlook indiscretions. We are all flawed, but a president with added flaws brings with them fuel for the fire, and their policies will garner greater attention for the things they do wrong than right, with Republican voters bearing the burden of supporting and absorbing those flaws.

Republicans are slowly realizing that they do not have to die by the sword; Trump does not have to be the Republican Party’s savior. There are candidates that possess his positive characteristics but not his negative ones. These candidates are not difficult to track down; in fact, we already know who they are. The difficult thing for Republicans will be letting go of Trump. Is that possible?

Celebrating Christopher Wallace a.k.a. Biggie!

CHRISTINA GREER PH.D.

Have you ever waited for a book to arrive, and it feels like you have waited almost your entire life for it? Well, I’m having that moment with the recent arrival of Justin Tinsley’s “It Was All a Dream.” Anyone who knows me knows I am an absolute die-hard Biggie Smalls stan. My hip hop tastes and preferences are perpetually stuck between 1993-1998 and I truly believe Biggie Smalls is the illest. Tinsley’s new tome has arrived just in time to give me a detailed exploration of one of the greatest rappers to ever pick up a mic.

I am a fan of the genre of hip hop memoirs and biographies. Even if they leave me with more questions than they answer, I am always curious as to the often humble beginnings of a star or their analysis of their connection to their respective city, urban blight, violence, access to resources, and the music industry. “It Was All a Dream” addresses these areas of interest and so much more. This deeply and extensively researched biography interviews so many different types of people who were in Biggie’s magnanimous orbit, especially those who knew and loved Biggie.

Biggie grew up in Brooklyn during the height of the Reagan era’s disinvestment in urban centers, public education, and Black neighborhoods, to start. Tinsley meticulously lays out the backdrop of one of hip hop’s greatest rappers who emerged despite New York City’s and America’s war on drugs and mass incarceration.

It is hard to believe the man who gave the world a small but deep foundation of lyrical masterpieces died at the young age of 24 years old. The son of a teacher and Jamaican immigrant was influenced deeply by the myriad of Black ethnics around him. I listened to Biggie incessantly while writing my book “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream.” Similar to Tinsley, I was fascinated by the intersection of Black cultures in how we shape our opinions, identity, and passions. “It Was All a Dream” contextualizes Biggie and in doing so, contextualizes and validates so many of us…as lovers of rap music living in a nation that rarely loves us back. Tinsley not only introduced us to so many new aspects of Biggie’s life, he did so

“I am always curious as to the often humble beginnings of a star or their analysis of their connection to their respective city, urban blight, violence, access to resources, and the music industry. ‘It Was All a Dream’ addresses these areas of interest and so much more. ” while interrogating the complex music industry of the 1990s. There are few books I classify as “mustreads,” but if you care about Black people, cities, music, culture, and/or the late great Christopher Wallace, this is mandatory reading for you. Reading this book made me long for what could have been from this incredible artist; luckily Tinsley has captured much of his lightning on the page, and for that I am grateful. “It Was All a Dream” is available online and in stores now. Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University, the author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream,” and the co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.