Open Season

Legalized Genocide of Colored People

By: Ben Crump

Narrated by: Korey Jackson

The president of the National Bar Association and one of the most distinguished civil rights attorneys working today reflects on the landmark cases he has battled—including representing Trayvon Martin’s family—and offers a disturbing look at how the justice system is used to promote injustice in this memoir and clarion call as shocking and important as the bestsellers Just Mercy and Slavery by Another Name and Ava DuVernay’s film 13th.

Benjamin Crump firmly believes in the Constitution and its legal protections—that civil rights legislation covers all Americans, not just those privileged by race, wealth, or pedigree. A fierce and passionate advocate, he has devoted his career to fighting for justice for America’s marginalized. Open Season is his inspiring journey working on some of the most egregious cases that have shocked the nation, including those of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown.

Shaped by his first-hand experience handling civil litigation matters in state and federal courts throughout the country, Open Season reveals the often hidden and systemic injustices minorities face, and illuminates how discrimination in the courthouse devastates real families and communities. Chronicling some of his most memorable legal battles, this brilliant litigator shockingly makes clear how our system is devised for certain people to lose and others to win, and, using evidence and facts, exposes how it is legal to harm—with the intent to destroy—people of color.

Crump offers a cogent analysis of legal tenets, including the 13th Amendment, the 1951 Genocide Petition to the United Nations, and controversial Stand Your Ground laws. He compares how race detrimentally influences sentencing, and reveals how police unions protect officers who shoot unarmed civilians. He also makes clear how budget cuts for education, the proliferation of guns, and high unemployment rates all directly contribute to higher crime rates.

America must live up to its promise to protect the rights of its citizens equally, Crump maintains. Thoughtful, well-reasoned, and powerfully persuasive, Open Season details one man's life mission preserving the hard-won justice for all.

Excellent, engaging, wide ranging

Engaging and powerful and wide ranging book in addition to covering the criminal justice system and the courts and policing, it also addressed environmental racism educational racism housing discrimination and racism. Vivid examples of real people and discussion of the trends and laws and policies that these very human examples illustrate.

Great

I learned so much from listening on cases I had no knowledge of in the news or in print.

Amazing, strong, intriguing, thoughtful!

Absolutely one of the best books to listen to in today's climate. I have learned more from this book than I have ever learned from the news or any articles.

Informative

Very good book, very informative about the American judicial system toward so called black and brown people.

Riveting and very Insightful.

One of the best and well written books I've read in years a must read,for aure.