WINNER OF THE CHRISTOPHER BOOK AWARD • “A must-read for anyone who longs for the day when the dividing lines of race, class, and bigotry are finally overcome by the greater forces of love, forgiveness, and brotherhood.”—Rev. Samuel Rodriguez Racial tensions had long simmered in Benton Harbor, a small city on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, before the day a white narcotics officer—more focused … officer—more focused on arrests than justice—set his sights on an innocent black man. But when officer Andrew Collins framed Jameel McGee for possession of crack cocaine, the surprising result was not a race riot but a transformative journey for both men.
Falsely convicted, McGee spent three years in federal prison. Collins also went to prison a few years later for falsifying police reports. While behind bars, the faith of both men deepened. But the story took its most unexpected turn once they were released—when their lives collided again in a moment brimming with mistrust and anger. The two were on a collision course—not to violence—but forgiveness.
As current as today’s headlines, this explosive true story reveals how these radically conflicted men chose to let go of fear and a thirst for revenge to pursue reconciliation for themselves, their community, and our racially divided nation.
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Currently, in this country, the daily newspapers and evening broadcasts are inundated with racial tension, from bullying to murder to removal of Civil War memorials, the tension is thick and it is boiling.
Meet Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins, the most unlikely best buddies I’ve read about in a long time; learn how they overcame the racial tension in Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan.
One is a young black man, trying to make his way in Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan; an area well known for its racial tension. The other a white man, a young cop, trying to make his mark in the law enforcement system of Benton Harbor.
Seeing the crime that was Benton Harbor, Andrew Collins began to be frustrated by arresting and re-arresting the same drug dealers day in and day out. Becoming disillusioned with the system, Collins begins to slip a little cocaine into arrest scenes; he eventually begins accepting money as he plants bigger stashes of drugs. Drug dealers go to jail, albeit on false charges, but the way Colliins sees it, the dealer is off the streets.
Jameel does everything he can to stay out of trouble, especially since he has a young son he would like be involved with but somehow, someway he keeps ending up in the wrong places at the wrong time. His arresting officer? Andrew Collins.
Based on a true story, read how the grace of God leads these 2 men down the most improbable course to meet again…. right back in Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan.
Convicted reads like a novel. Inspired by this true story of redemption, I am hoping that someday I will be privileged to meet both Jameel and Andrew.
A timely read, given the state of our nation today; this book was compelling. It made me angry and frustrated. It also gave me hope as I saw God turn around the lives of the authors.
I am sure that it wasn’t the intent, but I am going to say I felt this book made all cops look bad. We know they’re not. I personally know some great cops. However, given the area of Michigan in which this took place and knowing the racial issues that have happened, I can understand why. I say I understand; I understand as much as possible. I haven’t lived the way people have lived in Benton Harbor although I have found it appalling over the years.
As the author’s pointed out, you cannot heal without complete forgiveness. We see that it is possible to forgive those who have wronged us. And it is possible to receive forgiveness when you’ve done terrible things. Christ is always there and ready to forgive. What an awesome testimony of this! I have had my eyes opened to some of the issues faced by both authors. Both were wounded deep in their souls, causing the problems that arose. I highly recommend this book to people who want to make a difference in this world.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.