Book SummaryAcross the River, by Kent Babb

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Across the River

Challenges for Underprivileged Youth in New Orleans: Mentorship and Opportunities Through Edna Karr's Football Program

This book guide focuses on Across the River by Kent Babb, which explores the challenges faced by underprivileged youth in New Orleans, particularly those in the impoverished West Bank neighborhoods. The narrative centers on Edna Karr's football program, led by Coach Brice Brown, which acts as a beacon of hope and opportunity for these young men. Babb delves into the harsh realities of their lives, marked by violence, limited resources, and systemic barriers, while highlighting how the initiative goes beyond teaching football to empower players with life skills, emotional support, and a chance at a different future.

Harsh Realities Of Growing Up In Impoverished, Crime-Ridden West Bank Neighborhoods

Babb paints a stark picture of the region called the West Bank, a community separated from the more affluent and tourist-driven East Bank by the Mississippi River. Algiers, where Karr High School can be found, is particularly challenged, facing high poverty rates, lower life expectancy, and a culture of violence.

Young People Face Violence, Limited Resources, and Systemic Barriers

The author highlights how young people in these neighborhoods are exposed to danger from an early age. Shootings and murders are commonplace, with many seeing a corpse for the first time as children. This constant threat shapes their outlook on life, fostering a sense of immediate pressure and a need to develop street smarts to stay alive. Babb emphasizes how these dangers are compounded by limited resources and opportunity. Numerous households struggle to afford basic necessities, relying on food stamps for food and facing housing insecurity. Access to quality healthcare is scant, and educational options are often limited to underperforming schools with few resources. Systemic barriers, such as racial profiling from police and "ghost warrants" for minor infractions that can lead to unexpected jail time, further compound these struggles, trapping many people in a cycle of poverty and instability.

Practical Tips

• Implement a 'Text a Tip' service that allows young people to anonymously report dangerous situations or crimes they witness. Work with local law enforcement to establish a system where tips can be sent via text message, providing a discreet way for youth to contribute to their own safety and the safety of their peers without fear of retaliation.
• Explore the use of cash-back and rewards apps when shopping for groceries. These apps often provide rebates or points for purchasing specific items, which can be redeemed for cash or discounts on future purchases. By strategically planning your shopping around these deals, you can save money on your grocery bills without needing specialized skills or experience.
• Start a neighborhood watch program focused on housing security. Collaborate with local law enforcement to create a system where neighbors look out for each other's properties, report suspicious activities, and provide a support network for residents who might be facing housing insecurity.
• Start a social media campaign to raise awareness about the importance of healthcare for young people in underserved areas. Use platforms like Instagram or Twitter to share stories, statistics, and information on healthcare rights and resources. Create a hashtag that resonates with the cause, such as...

Across the River Summary Karr Players' Backgrounds and how They Navigate Community Dangers

Babb profiles several players from Karr, each representing the different paths and struggles that shape young men in New Orleans.

Players Like Joe Thomas Faced Trauma, Instability, and Threats From a Young Age

Joe Thomas, a senior linebacker and one of the squad's captains, emerges as a central figure. The author describes his upbringing marked by extreme poverty, witnessing a killing during childhood, and his mother's involvement in the drug trade.

Keyoke Thomas Toughened Joe Using Harsh Methods

Joe's mom, Keyoke, used harsh methods to harden and prepare him for their world. She frequently tested him by having him navigate unfamiliar neighborhoods, physically fought him to teach self-defense, and drilled him on survival skills such as avoiding being caught in a drive-by shooting. Joe's early exposure to violence and hardship developed his survival instincts and a deep distrust of strangers, which initially posed challenges during his time at Karr. However, Joe's willingness to embrace the program's structure and guidance, alongside the coaches recognizing and addressing his emotional needs, helped him transform into someone who fit Karr's culture.

Context ...

Across the River Summary Police-Black Community Relations: Impact on Investigations and Trust

Babb explores the fraught relationship between West Bank residents and the police in New Orleans, highlighting its impact on investigations and undermining trust in law enforcement.

Tension and Mistrust Between Black West Bank Residents and Police in NOLA

The author describes a historical legacy of police brutality and racial profiling that fuels a culture of mistrust towards the police. Community members are often hesitant to cooperate with police, fearing retaliation or distrusting their motives.

Police Brutality and Racial Profiling Erode Trust in Legal Authorities

The author points to historical cases, like the 1980 "Algiers Seven" case, where NOPD officers were accused of beating, torturing, and even killing Black residents during an investigation. This incident, along with countless others, fueled a belief that police officers aren't accountable for their actions, especially in Black neighborhoods. Smith's killing in 2016 by a former NOPD officer further underscored this perception.

Context

• The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has a long history of allegations related to misconduct and corruption, which has contributed to strained relations with...

Across the River Summary Racial and Class Divides Impacting Young Black Men in New Orleans Football

Babb examines how racial and class divisions impact young Black men playing football, highlighting the inequities they face compared to their peers at predominantly white institutions.

White Schools John Curtis, Neville Outpace Black Schools Like Karr Regarding Resources, Facilities, Opportunities

The author draws a contrast between Karr and schools like Curtis and Neville High (both predominantly white programs). Curtis and Neville boast modern facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, and larger budgets for travel and extras such as catered pregame meals and title rings.

Backgrounds Shape Players' Realities and Outlooks

Athletes at these schools come from more privileged backgrounds, with greater access to resources, supportive home environments, and more career and life pathways. For many Karr players, football represents their best, and perhaps only, opportunity for a different future.

Other Perspectives

• The assumption that all athletes at these schools are privileged can overlook...

Across the River Summary Coach Brice Brown's Struggles Balancing Championships and Mentoring Players

The author delves into the complex and often contradictory motivations of Brice Brown, the head coach, who carries the weight of both winning championships and mentoring players far beyond traditional coaching roles.

Brown Sees Role in Karr Program Beyond Coaching

Babb discusses Brown's commitment to the group as going far beyond that of a typical football trainer. He views his role as addressing not just players' performance during games, but their overall well-being and futures, too.

Exceeds in Addressing Players' Practical and Psychological Needs

He spends countless hours watching film, creating game plans, and pushing his assistants. But he also gives players transportation and food, visits their homes, mediates family conflicts, and counsels them on navigating the dangers and temptations of the streets. Brown is often the first person they contact in a crisis, and he answers, day or night.

Context

• Modern coaching utilizes advanced technology and software for film analysis, allowing for detailed breakdowns of plays and player movements.
• Encouraging assistants to think critically and creatively can lead to innovative strategies and solutions that...

Across the River Summary How Football Impacts Purpose and Pathways for Underprivileged Young Men

Babb highlights how football, particularly in a program like Karr's, can offer purpose and pathways for success for young men from disadvantaged backgrounds.

For Joe Thomas and Ronnie Jackson, Football Is Their Chance to Escape Poverty and Violence

The author describes how joining Karr's team, for some, provides an escape from the daily dangers and limited options they face at home.

Karr Program Instills Discipline, Life Skills, Purpose, and Aspiration for Change

It introduces them to structure, accountability, and teamwork, and shows them life outside their immediate environment through travel, exposure to college campuses, and interaction with professionals from different fields. Joe Thomas, once adrift and filled with distrust, comes to embrace Brown's beliefs regarding effort, honesty, and self-control. Football helps him gain admission to a nonpublic university where, despite initial struggles adapting to a vastly different environment, he thrives. Ronnie Jackson, a talented but volatile running back, finds purpose and redirection through the program and, despite a setback in returning to New Orleans after enrolling at UT-San Antonio, ultimately discovers that...