Eye of the Hurricane

I had an interesting phone call yesterday afternoon, from my good friend, Dr. Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. His new book, pictured above, will be released in January, 2011. I note that it has a forward by his friend and associate, Nelson Mandela.

Over the years, I've had other late-night calls from Rubin, when Mandela and he have been in places such as the Middle East, working for peace and social justice. Although he is closing in on 70, Rubin never slows down: he has been around the world since late summer, and is heading back to Europe later this week.

We had the chance to catch up on a variety of issues, ranging from family and friends, to prisons and poverty. We are planning to get together next spring, for part of the speaking tour to promote the new book. I plan to do some book reviews locally, on the internet, and perhaps an interview with Rubin on one of the radio shows I am a guest on every so often.

Until then, a message from the only innocent Hurricane: stay actively engaged in the struggle for truth and justice. Help to protect those defenseless people who are suffering the most from the brutality of those systems which capitalize on injustice. Be awake; be aware; and keep on fighting that Good Fight!

Peace,
H2O Man

K&R

I think there is a real need for upbeat, positive news on this forum.

Looking forward to the read.

time getting the book published. Rubin included a lot of documented facts in the original effort, but a couple publishers got antsy. Their attorneys pointed to "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse," a fact-filled book that led to long and expensive law suits; winning is still mighty expensive. But what is coming out is a powerful book.

"...I have always been desirous of helping you to become whatever you wished to become -- though I would much rather see you one day as a prominent attorney, a Judge, a Supreme Court Justice, or an honest Senator, than to see you an adle-minded prizefighter, no matter how successful you might have been, because you still would have had to get hurt -- for that's what prizefighting is all about! And as our mutual friend Muhammad Ali is so fond of saying: 'War on Nations changes maps, while war on poverty maps changes!' And I am sure that we both agree on that point. For that country which is richest in which nourishes the greatest number of noble and happy human beings, because the dignity of man is the most rewarding aspect of any society -- and this is the area wherein I believe that you could do the most good!" -- Rubin Carter, from solitary confinement; letter to H2O Man

Yeah, I'm looking through the files of letters, tapes, and prison & legal/court documents today. Amazing things here.

for this post, self. I am rather enjoying this thread.

I recall you telling me he was attempting to get a book published, but titled, "The Way of the One-Eyed Man". Is this the book, just under a different name? Either way I look forward to reading this book.

:kick:

Some time back, I wrote am article on the book for another political web site, and titled that article "Eye of the Hurricane." Maybe that title just makes more sense, in a commercial way.

The book is pretty much what it was originally. A few parts that I think should be in there may not be, though I'm not 100% sure about that.

What I can say, without risk of error, is that it will be an importasnmt book, one that people will find difficult to put down. Also, it will not be a fun, comforting read. No sugar-coating. Being in prison is brutal. There were forces which attempted to torture Rubin. The one scene from the movie "Hurricane," when the Rube is in solitary confinement, for example, is explained in greater detail. It wasn't simply thirty days: it was years and years of being dehumanized, and made an example for other inmates. But from the decay of prison, something beautiful grew.


My younger son is stopping by this afternoon, on his way to a gym in a distant community. He's going to be sparring some other tough young men. I just may have him call the Hurricane while he is here. D also wants to ask him a few questions about the heavyweight champion Charles "Sonny" Liston. Rubin and Sonny were friends, even sparring partners in Philly. Can you imagine?