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February began with the kickoff of North Carolina Humanities hosting a virtual monthly book club discussion of 5 books to engage in. We were asked to read the first 70 pages of Beyond Innocence (The Life Sentence of Darryl Hunt) by Phoebe Zerwick between February 1-8, 2024.
This non-fiction book is about a young Black man who is falsely accused of murdering a white woman in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and is sentenced to life in prison, where he spent 19 years behind bars before his tireless attorneys were able to prove his innocence. Part true crime drama, part chronicle of a remarkable life cut short by systematic prejudice, Zerwick’s narrative powerfully illuminates the sustained catastrophe faced by an innocent person in prison and the difficulty all formerly incarcerated people face when they try to restart their lives.
I am looking forward to finishing and participating in discussions about this book, especially since I was unaware of the intricacies of Darryl Hunt’s accusers and his false imprisonment in the North Carolina prison system.
Books, reading, literacy, and literary history are important parts of NC Humanities’ mission. At the heart of North Carolina Reads is NC Humanities’ desire to connect communities through shared reading experiences. Libraries, community groups, and individuals across North Carolina are encouraged to read along with NC Humanities.
Source: NC Reads Kickoff with “Beyond Innocence” by Phoebe Zerwick | From Behind the Pen
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