Analysis Of High Price By Carl Hart

Throughout “High Price” by Dr. Carl Hart we are forced to re-evaluate our preconceived notions about drugs; and the individuals who use them. Dr. Hart skillfully intertwines his research on certain drugs: such as methamphetamine and the different types of cocaine, with his experiences throughout his life. High Price is in an auto-biographical fashion, however, Dr. Hart provides the reader with new and interesting information about drugs, which helps keep the reader’s attention focused. During the early part of the novel we get to watch Dr. Carl Hart grow: he develops from a young boy in a not so great neighborhood in Florida, to a tenured professor at Columbia University in New York. What was the driving force that drove Carl Hart away from the life as a typical African American? Was it nature that built Dr. Hart? Or was it the way he was nurtured that gave him more opportunities? Maybe instead of there being only one answer, it could be a bit of both. Nature vs. nurture is a fairly common …show more content…
Like the time Carl was forced to participate in a one man line up while attending the National Institutes of Health (NIH) just because he “fit the description”. As Carl was leaving the campus bank he was approached by two officers who asked if he would be able to help them. The only thing the officers were interested in was the fact that Carl was wearing dark clothing and had black skin. The officers who questioned carl also happened to be minorities, however, due to the culture of certain police organizations minority officers are more likely to follow the nurtured concept that African Americans are more likely to break laws than whites. This experience was very negative for carl causing him great embracement and even filling him with rage. It isn’t natural to believe that one culture is superior to another, this is a mindset that an individual isn’t born with but learns watching those around