BLACK COP'S KID An Essay

This short audiobook is a powerful commentary on civil rights and a tribute to athlete Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's father, a Black transit cop in New York City during the 1960s. 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. Kareem's father must have felt enormous pressure to be perfect on the job. 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. E.E.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2021]