EXCLUSIVE: Bill Haney on Growing Up in Oakland During Crack Era, Going to Jail as a Teen for Drugs

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Part 2: Bill Haney on Getting 5 Years at 21 for Involvement in Drug Ring

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In this clip, Bill Haney, the father of world champion boxer Devin Haney, discusses his upbringing during the crack era in East Oakland and the experiences that shaped him. Born to a mother who was a proud Black Panther, Haney credits her influence for his outlook and mindset, emphasizing the need for hard work and developing a demand for respect despite racial prejudice. Haney also acknowledges his run-ins with the law during his troubled teenage years and describes the peer pressure he fell victim to. After a stint in juvenile hall, Haney’s high school counselor advocated for his future and helped him secure admission to Western Kentucky University under a minority recruiting program, where he studied Journalism. Haney reflects on his past, making sure not to glamorize or sensationalize it, and expresses pride in the achievements of his children.