Black Cop's Kid

An Essay

By: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Narrated by: JD Jackson

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s deeply personal essay explores racial conflict through the prism of his childhood and the influence of his father, a police officer who walked the beat between two worlds.

Growing up in New York City in the 1950s and 1960s, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar listened to jazz, watched Jackie Robinson at Ebbets Field, and saw a Black pop-culture icon in a TV western. It kick-started Kareem’s interest in a rich history erased by white educators. It also sparked his activism. During these years, as Kareem struggled with racism, visibility, and justice, his father’s presence loomed large with purpose. He was a Black cop weathering a complicated conflict of loyalties during the most tumultuous civil rights upheaval the country had ever been through. Now, at a time when his powerful voice is needed the most, Kareem shares his unique perspective from the front lines of sixty years of social change, not just as an activist, but as a son, an athlete, a writer, and a Black man in America.

©2021 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator JD Jackson gives listeners a talented portrayal of the preteen Kareem, who doesn't understand his father's friendly persona at work because at home he is quiet and he wants quiet around him.... Listeners hear disappointment and confusion vibrate in every word Jackson delivers. The brevity of this piece would make it difficult for any narrator without Jackson's skills to give listeners a full performance, complete with character portrayals. Jackson's superb presentation succeeds in doing just that.” (AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner)

“In Black Cop’s Kid, [Abdul-Jabbar] eloquently explores the contrasts of learning about his father’s experiences as an officer and being a curious Black child during an era of widespread unrest....” (Blavity)

Quick listen/read, but very insightful!

I bought the book based on my wife's recommendation and the fact that Kareem is tge greatest Center to ever play the game. Good to see this side of him and here his insight which I am sure came with difficulties and great learnings as well. Great writer indeed and appreciate the untold history lessons no matter how ugly, but true nonetheless.

Full of Wisdom

Must read for people who still care about such things as wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Also a terrific entry point for Kareem’s prodigious body of work.

Highly Recommended!

I admire and respect Kareem. Years ago as a basketball player, but today his advocacy and engagement are far more important to me.

Very intelligent and knowledgeable prospective

Very good and shows how things haven't changed for black people in all these years.

interesting

So I'm not one to follow sports. I recognized Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's name as a sports person, but that was the extent of my knowledge of him. This essay has me searching out all his works (fiction and non-fiction) because it was so well written and thought out.

I enjoyed learning about his take on law enforcement and why it's complicated. Since finishing this essay, I've already looked him up on social media, followed him on Twitter, and read several of his recent articles on substack. I'm interested in all of his writings!