Director Stanley Nelson (“The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution“) is known for his work examining Black history. He won Emmys for examining subjects such as Emmett Till, the Black Panthers, and the Civil Rights movement. His newest subject is something that devastated the Black community — America’s crack epidemic. In his upcoming documentary “Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy,” Nelson shows how the media sensationalized crack and the government failed the people truly harmed by the epidemic.
Nelson, who partnered up with Netflix to release the documentary, released a thorough and thoughtful statement on why he wanted to release make a documentary on the subject matter. Nelson lived through the crack era in New York City. As IndieWire reported, he said, “Crack transformed the city and the entire country, leaving devastation in its wake – especially in Black and Latinx communities. I wanted to make this film because I feel strongly that the impact of the crack era hasn’t been fully scrutinized.”
The documentary was executive produced by Marcia Smith, with producers Cameo George, Naimah Jabali-Nash, Keith Brown & Nicole London. Take a look at the official summary for “Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy” below:
“In the early 1980s, the crack epidemic tore through America’s inner cities like a tsunami, ravaging all in its wake. Decades later, the destructive effects on people’s lives, families and communities are still deeply felt. Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy examines not only the personal devastation caused by the drug, but also the shadowy origins of the crisis and the resultant, ongoing marginalization of Black and Brown people trapped by the U.S. prison and healthcare systems.”
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“Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy” drops on Netflix on January 11. Take a look at the new trailer below.