The Santana Case: Tragedy of a Puerto Rican Youth
New York: Pioneer Publishers, 1957. First edition. A support appeal from the American Youth for Socialism (AYS) on behalf of Frank Santana, a Puerto Rican gang member convicted of killing William Blankenship in 1955. The AYS claimed that racism and deprivation were responsible for Santana's actions and demanded his release. An African-American, Fred Beauford, who was a gang member affiliated with Santana's gang recounts the killing in his book, The Rejected Americans (1999), and maintains that Santana, who they called Tarzan, shot Blankenship in cold blood.
The author, born Joyce Maupin (1921-1998), ran for NYC mayor in 1957 on the Socialist Workers Party ticket. She later founded Union WAGE. American Youth for Socialism was the youth group of the Socialist Workers Party.
Stapled, illustrated wrappers (8 ½” x 5 ”), 16, [1] p., four photographs. Toning to wrappers, ‘Young Socialist’ stamp to the top corner of the front wrapper. Item #9878
Price: $125.00