Fist, stick, knife, gun : a personal history of violence

A new edition, including the story of the founding of the Harlem Children’s Zone Long before the avalanche of praise for his work—from Oprah Winfrey, from President Bill Clinton, from President Barack Obama—long before he became known for his talk show appearances, Members Project spots, and documentaries like Waiting for “Superman”, Geoffrey Canada was a small boy growing up scared on the mean streets of the South Bronx. His childhood world was one where “sidewalk boys” learned the codes of the block and were ranked through the rituals of fist, stick, and knife. Then the streets changed, and the stakes got even higher. In his candid and riveting memoir, Canada relives a childhood in which violence stalked every street corner. Codes of conduct The jacket My new friend Union Avenue "Program busters" P.S. 99 Conditioning Shamming Test questions Having heart A matter of time America's secret war The drug trade "Rep" Self-defense Confrontations The best way we know how Free-fire zones The sit down Targeting children Broken strategies Beacon schools The community concept One shot Peacemakers A new mission The call Hope in heroes. ---------- Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence is a memoir by Geoffrey Canada, an American social activist who is the current president and chief executive officer of Harlem Children's Zone. ----------