Buzzsaw
Episode 191
Rioting, Inner-City War Zones, and the Crack Cocaine Epidemic with Coach Cornell Ward
The CIA sponsored crack epidemic in South Central Los Angeles, plus community tensions with police, and developing economic business models and alternatives for disenfranchised communities is explored with “Coach” Cornell Ward. From selling crack with “Freeway” Rick Ross in the “urban war zone,” to transcending violence from peers and the police and developing the Unity One Foundation, we discuss violence and the hurdles to development in black communities nationwide from Baltimore to the West Coast. What would the end of drug prohibition mean to the inner city? Is there hope for improved relations between police and people of color? Examine the issues facing urban America on this uncensored Buzzsaw, hosted by Sean Stone.
Episode Breakdown
00:01 Welcoming Coach Cornell Ward to Buzzsaw.
02:00 Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, “an urban war zone.”
04:20 An unwitting relationship with the government through community poison.
06:01 The major operations of “Freeway” Ricky Ross and the young crew.
07:29 Interaction with gangs, and walking the tightrope.
08:45 Gangs, drugs, and the weaponization of Los Angeles.
10:15 Getting caught by the Freeway Rick Task Force of the LAPD.
11:10 The relationship between police and black communities.
13:45 The prison industrial complex and legalized slavery.
15:20 The Rodney King verdict as a turning point.
17:30 South Central, the grim sleeper, and looking the other way.
19:50 A history of police killings.
20:28 Rewriting the future.
23:45 A lack of effective leadership?
25:30 Are the police representative of the neighborhoods they patrol?
26:55 Legalization of drugs and the hypocrisy of prohibition.
28:44 Potential economic paths out of disadvantaged communities.
30:40 Unity One in action.
31:56 The life story as an autobiography.
32:37 Following up with Coach Cornell Ward and adding resources to the community.
Guest Bio
“Coach” Cornell Ward held rank as a top lieutenant for Freeway Rick Ross, “The King of Crack,” during the onset and height of the crack cocaine epidemic of the 80’s.
Reinforced by his own experiences and personal inspiration, Coach turned his life around and continues to do the same for so many others in his community and across the world.
Additional Links
http://unityonefoundationinc.org/
http://crackinthesystem.com/coach-ward
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