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Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities

Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities: Episode 3: Justice

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Factual: History

Justice

Episode 3

Episode 3: Justice

BBC Radio 4 - Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities, Justice

Alvin Hall explores the changing role of race in the New York justice system.

1980s New York saw thousands of poor black men being herded through the criminal justice system. Alvin Hall asks how much has changed in the past quarter century.

Tom Wolfe wrote of the procession of young black men being jolted through the criminal justice system in New York, and particularly the Bronx, as a depressing, and relentless, spectacle. 1980's New York was renowned for its crime, but today it is supposed to be cleaned up.

Alvin Hall asks how much really has changed since those dark days, visiting the courthouse in the Bronx, speaking to legal contemporaries of characters in the book and then asking the truth of what's changed from a younger member of the current generation of lawyers.


Produced by Lucy Lloyd.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Alvin Hall compares the New York of Tom Wolfe's scathing 1980s satire with that of today

Alvin Hall compares the New York City of Tom Wolfe's scathing 1980s satire with that of today

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Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities

Episode 3: Justice

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