BY Peter A. Burnett

This Book can be Purchased in any book store for $19.95

There were approximately 350,000 inmates in American prisons and jails in 1974. As of December 2006, according to The U.S. Department Of Justice, that number had risen to 2,258,983. An estimated 14 million Americans have felony records. 6.5 million of those 14 million felons are under active supervision. And 46% of those 6.5 million are black males between the ages of 18 and 30. There are some who would like for all of them to 'rot in jail' for the rest of their 'wretched' lives. Others want them to die--quickly and violently. But the reality is, an overwhelming 95-98% of them will do neither. Approximately 650,000 American inmates are expected to be released each year over the next ten years and Supreme Court rulings as recent as December 2007 (giving greater authority to judges concerning sentencing) will surely increase that flow. They will come back to families, churches, employers, and a cadre of civil servants. They will come back to communities. They will come back, as though from the dead, to live again. The question is: What will you do with the dead man at your door?

The Love Dare Can be purchased at South Biscayne for $5.00  (retail $14.99)

Sonja Thomas Wright

Sonja Thomas Wright's book "Down the Street" tells a story of the history of Punta Gorda's black community. Only a person with her credentials could have written this book.

Sonja, and her family, lived the Punta Gorda experience. They were both before and after the Brown vs. Board of Education decision of 1954. They experienced segregation and went through the trails and tribulations of integration.

Her memories are of a happy life with emphasis on her family, her education, her church and her community. She feels blessed for having spent her early years "Down the Street."

This book provides insight into the black culture of Punta Gorda during a very important era in our history.

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Sonja Thomas Wright



Sonja Thomas Wright's book "Down the Street" tells a story of the
history of Punta Gorda's black community. Only a person with her
credentials could have written this book.



Sonja, and her family, lived the Punta Gorda experience. They were both
before and after the Brown vs. Board of Education decision of 1954.
They experienced segregation and went through the trails and
tribulations of integration.



Her memories are of a happy life with emphasis on her family, her
education, her church and her community. She feels blessed for having
spent her early years "Down the Street."



This book provides insight into the black culture of Punta Gorda during a very important era in our history.