Dark Justice
Dianne Cooper, 2015
Wild Ivy Publishing
212 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780996814003
Summary
Dark Justice, by Pamela O'Hara writing as Dianne Cooper, is a dark, gritty, and heartbreakingly honest account of one woman’s journey through the Federal Penitentiary system.
While continuously proclaiming her innocence, Cooper is manipulated by both the judicial system and street code honor to play by the rules, which leads to a forty year prison sentence.
Written in the author’s own street-wise voice, Dark Justice is the first book of a series that walks the reader through the painful experience of leaving children and family behind to begin a journey that will change her life forever. (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
• Birth—October 10, 1955
• Where—Waycross, Georgia, USA
• Education—N/A
• Currently—lives in Rex, Georgia
Pamela O'Hara, writing under the pen name Dianne Cooper, spent more than two decades incarcerated in prisons across the country for non-violent crimes, all while proclaiming her innocence.
Pamela is an advocate for incarcerated fathers and works to help them reestablish relationships with their children. She is a motivational speaker and encourages others to make the most of their situation, overcome obstacles, and make sure that one's past does not define one's future.
Ms. O'Hara currently resides in Georgia and is the mother of three children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Dark Justice is the first book in a series that will take the reader along "Dianne's" journey through the federal prison system. (From the publisher.)
Visit the author's webpage.
Follow Dianne on Twitter.
Book Reviews
To be able to capture [this story] so true and so raw takes true talent. Pate (Editor) is a voice worth listening to in the literary world.
Tamika Newhouse, Author of the Ultimate No No Series & President of AAMBC (African Americans on the Move Book Club)
Discussion Questions
1. Dianne refuses to cooperate with the authorities throughout the book. She states that she would never tell on her family, even at the risk of being incarcerated for forty years. Would you have done the same? Why or why not?
2. Dianne mentions more than once that Diamond loves her and she loves him. In light of Diamond’s actions prior to and after his subsequent arrest, such as using her car for nefarious reasons, sending her to pick up his money or drugs, and finally lying in court for his own benefit, do you believe that he truly loved her?
3. There are several instances where Dianne claims that she was "green" for example, not knowing that her son was selling drugs, not recognizing drugs, etc. Do you believe that Dianne was in fact an innocent or that naive? If so, why? If not, why not?
4. While on her cruise vacation, Dianne states that she only attracts drug dealers. Do you think this statement is a reflection of a lack of self esteem or a reason to excuse her own attraction to these types of men?
5. In Chapter 3, Dianne finds out that her son, Shon, has been selling drugs. When she asks him why, he states: "They put my daddy on crack, so I’m putting their daddy on crack." Do you think this is a valid reason to sell drugs? What would you have said to your child if you were in this situation?
(Questions issued by the publisher.)