I Can't Breathe: The Killing that Started a Movement

In the summer of 2014, Eric Garner, a 43-year-old black man, died in New York after a police officer put him in a chokehold during an arrest for selling bootleg cigarettes. Matt Taibbi, a bestselling author and "the best polemic journalist in America," tells the full story of Garner, who inspired the Black Lives Matter protest movement. I Cant Breathe is a powerful narrative of urban America that is a riveting work of literary journalism and a scathing indictment of law enforcement in the twenty-first century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 06 September 2018
Publisher: Ebury Publishing

The Death of Eric Garner:
On July 17, 2014, a forty-three-year-old black man named Eric Garner died in New York after a police officer put him in a chokehold during an arrest for selling bootleg cigarettes. The final moments of his life were captured on video and seen by millions, his agonized last words, "I can't breathe," becoming a rallying cry for the nascent Black Lives Matter protest movement.
The Birth of the BLACK LIVES MATTER Movement:
The death of Eric Garner sparked widespread outrage and led to the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement. The movement emerged as a response to the systemic racism and police brutality that African Americans have faced for generations. It demanded accountability and change from law enforcement and the broader society.
The New Fault Lines of Race, Protest, Policing, and the Power of the People:
I Cant Breathe explores the new fault lines of race, protest, policing, and the power of the people that have emerged in the wake of Eric Garner's death. It examines the challenges faced by African Americans in urban communities, the disproportionate impact of police violence on black communities, and the need for systemic reform.
Matt Taibbi as the Narrator:
Matt Taibbi, bestselling author and "the best polemic journalist in America," tells the full story of the man who inspired a movement. Taibbi presents Eric Garner as neither a villain nor a victim, but as a fiercely proud individual determined to do the best he could for his family. The book features vivid vignettes of life on the street, providing a powerful narrative of urban America.
A Scathing Indictment of Law Enforcement in the Twenty-First Century:
I Cant Breathe is a scathing indictment of law enforcement in the twenty-first century. Taibbi criticizes the militarization of police forces, the excessive use of force, and the lack of accountability for police officers who commit misconduct. He argues that the police have become a threat to public safety and that the system is rigged against marginalized communities.
The Power of People to Rise Up Against Injustice:
I Cant Breathe highlights the power of people to rise up against injustice. It demonstrates the resilience and determination of African Americans in the face of systemic oppression. The book showcases the organizing efforts of community leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens who have worked tirelessly to bring about change.
Conclusion:
I Cant Breathe is a brilliant work of narrative nonfiction that provides a powerful and nuanced account of the death of Eric Garner, the birth of the BLACK LIVES MATTER movement, and the new fault lines of race, protest, policing, and the power of the people. Matt Taibbi's writing is compelling, and the book offers a critical perspective on the issues that have shaped our society in the twenty-first century.

Weight: 228g
Dimension: 173 x 138 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780753548691