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Full-Text Articles in African American Studies
Coolie, Derrick, Bronx African American History Project
Coolie, Derrick, Bronx African American History Project
Oral Histories
Interviewee: Derrick Cooley
Interviewer: Dr. Mark Naison
Date of Interview August 27, 2003
Summarized by Christian Rivera
Derrick Cooley, a counselor, from the Butler houses ( E. 170th Webster, South Bronx) grew up during the crack epidemic of the 1980’s. He experienced the interaction of drug dealers and drug addicts within the Butler house community. Furthermore, he witnessed the tragic effects of the urban drug culture through violence, rising high school dropout rates, and the influence of local Number Wholes.
The crack culture changed the priorities of the neighborhood youth. The youngsters were more interested in earning a dollar …