The Gangs of Zion

A Black Cop's Crusade in Mormon Country

De: Ron Stallworth

Narrado por: Phil Morris

New York Times bestselling author of Black Klansman, Ron Stallworth, returns with another firsthand account of trailblazing police work in the most unlikely place for a Black cop in the ’90s.

Determined to pursue his passion for undercover work wherever it leads, Ron Stallworth finally lands in Salt Lake City, Utah. Once again, he’s an outsider—not only as a Black man on a mostly white police force but also as an unapologetic nonbeliever in a state dominated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. But soon after his first drug bust in the Beehive, Stallworth makes a startling discovery—Bloods and Crips are infiltrating Mormon Country, threatening to turn the deeply conservative community into a hotbed of crime. Kids are bombing homes while carrying pocket versions of the Book of Mormon, yet his fellow cops are in denial that gangs are wreaking havoc in their Christian town.

Now Stallworth has a new mission. Whether facing off with skinheads at a downtown bar or schooling white Crips blasting “F*ck tha Police,” he is intent on stemming the tide of gangs into the state. But those he expected to be his allies either have their heads in the sand or their own agendas—from the racist Mormon legislator to the community activist exploiting a fatal gang incident to spread paranoia over an imaginary race war.

As he butts heads with these so-called leaders, Stallworth also realizes that gangsta rap has the key to the g-code. He becomes obsessed with—even defensive of—the music he once loathed and puts himself on the front lines of America’s culture war. Now he’s spitting uncensored lyrics before Congress and taking the stand in the 1993 murder case that puts hip-hop on trial.

But the more Stallworth speaks truth to power, the more determined the gatekeepers in Utah are to silence him, and not even twenty-three years of police work could prepare him for how low they would stoop.

©2024 Ron Stallworth (P)2024 Legacy Lit

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Ron Stallworth is a voice we need. He holds no punches in this page-turning memoir that fans of Black Klansman will love. His unique perspective on law enforcement, tactics for creating effective change, and speaking truth to power offers valuable insight on reforming our society. Ron Stallworth is it. He is the truth teller, interpreter and mediator we need. We must salute Ron! He is tough as hell and knows how to bring the noise!"—Chuck D., author and founder of Public Enemy

A truly authentic look at gang activity in Utah and everywhere

What an amazing book! I went into this knowing the author’s son but never realizing he was the son of Ron Stallworth. What an amazing insight into the origins of gang life in Utah. Ron’s work is detailed and authentic. As the current Mayor of Clearfield, UT, I was shocked to read about the Job Corps’ connections to Utah gangs. I highly recommend this book!

A damning and fascinating insight into the failures of politicians and community leaders.

As a Utah resident on the West Side of the Salt Lake Valley, I never thought there was a serious gang problem here. Stallworth disabused me of that notion. I was not surprised about, but still infuriated by, the insistence on maintaining the best PR optics by local politicians, church leaders, and other community leaders as Stallworth tried to solve the gang problem as a gang cop.

These leaders cared more about sweeping problems under the rug and their reputation than the best interests of the community, and always have in Utah. Furthermore, this book explores the conditions behind what creates gang activity and what can be done to address it, the systemic failures by police and government towards minority communities in the US, and gang culture as an act of protest against those broken systems.

Stallworth is a proponent of law and order, and in no way glorifies gang culture, but helps us understand what makes it tick and how it can be tackled. Highly recommend!

Truth

Moved to SLC from central Illinois 18 yrs ago and wow was I surprised to read all that was going on in slc and being ignored!! Love love love this book. So insightful and truthful! HIGHLY recommend