Title: Straight Hood
Author: Allan Brentt Hood
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-5144-0585-7
Pages: 110
Genre: Non-Fiction, Autobiographical, Recovery
Reviewed by: Billy Diamond
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Pacific Book Review
Allan Brentt Hood begins his story in Straight Hood with a humble prayer; articulated largely in his own words, bringing forth his love of God and his humble existence and acknowledging his own human frailty. With his upbringing of being Catholic yet dealing drugs, getting high, drinking and falling into the ghetto lifestyle with abusive womanizing, rap music idols and the color-culture differences of race, his life is in turmoil and filled with contradictions. Hood knows right from wrong, but seemingly is caught in the currents of this subculture negativism and goes “under” with his propensity to use drugs and drink.
In a stylistic fashion, Hood begins his story as if he was in front of a crowd at a local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, only not saying, “Hi, my name is Allan, and I’m an alcoholic drug addict.” In not such terse words, that is exactly his message. Surprisingly he lists at the onset of his book the names of people in his life: family; friends; acquaintances; and enemies – all in alphabetical order. That list scrolled like the opening credits of a motion picture, as I thought to myself there is nothing wrong with his memory, to manifest a list such as this. It was his way to apologize to all whose name appears, which is a major milestone of the classic 12 Step Program of AA.
Paging Straight Hood begins with rather comical events and lighthearted yet hurtful moments when Hood was a teenager. Having his parents leave town for a few days, Allan called his friends to come over to party-hardy with pot and booze – most of course being under the legal drinking age and marijuana was obviously illegal. As fate had it, in walked Mum & Dad – a few days early – and he got ‘Busted’ – forming a rift in his relationships, which ultimately was turned around once he, regained his sobriety.
Hood then chronicles his trials and tribulations of being a smart and sensitive black youth embedded in the society of rap music, funky dudes, slutty women embodying the ignorance of the hostile racial differential which is prevalent in society – whether you choose to believe it or not. Frankly it wasn’t until halfway into the book that I realized Hood was African-American, as his pot-smoking and underage drinking isn’t confined to any particular race or economic status.
Then onto and into the dark side of the culture, with girls wanting to be called “Bitches,” and the vernacular descriptions of the word “Nigga” as being a compliment, synonymous for friend. The anti-societal roots of rap music with its warped values is also articulated in a way most people don’t realize. For example, the success of a rapper soars once he is convicted of a crime and does time in jail – it becomes a “reality-check badge of honor” and proof of his anti-establishment beliefs.
Reading about Allan Brentt Hood’s own words about himself made him out to be a real person, as I mentioned earlier humble, and sensitive. He wrote about how he looked at himself after years of smoking “blunts” as his lips were stained, teeth brown and even his eyes showed the telltale signs of abusive addiction. He briefly mentions other drugs but doesn’t seem to dwell on it, having pot his drug of choice; lulling around in a stoned- out stupor was his favorite place to be, not realizing where he actually was in his life until regaining sobriety.
Hood’s faith in God pulled him through, along with his strong desire to change. He seemed to have made his apologies to those he hurt, and has received their forgiveness. His path now is guided by his faith, friendships and most importantly family. To thine own self he is now true.
This book is an excellent preemptive story to young adults on the verge of making bad decisions, or other recovering alcoholic drug addicts. A place on the Alcoholics Anonymous’ library shelf or a present to someone at risk is an obvious market, but even those without addiction would appreciate the candor and insights Hood offers, now that he is a Straight Hood.
