Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison

Outstanding! I'm from the Detroit area and am familiar with most of the places Senghor writes about. Well, the neighborhoods ... not the prisons or jails. I left Michigan in 1962 (to follow the California dream) and remember Detroit when it was a thriving, beautiful city. The racism and corruption destroyed the city plus industrial decline. Many of my relatives left Detroit to escape to the "White" neighborhoods. He is an amazing individual and writer. Senghor's brilliant retelling of his journey through his abusive childhood, his painful teenage years, drug trafficking and violence of the Detroit streets, and his years of incarceration is an eye-opener. Senghor is a role model and educator not only for Blacks but for all of us no matter what color or age. And for anyone who doesn't understand what it means to be Black in this country, Senghor's book will educate you.

Senghor is an excellent writer. I stayed up to 2 am to read the first half. He was shaped by traumatic experiences and a culture of violence, and embraced an outlaw violent identity and committed numerous crimes of violence. He definitely behaved as a "bad man," but as his intelligence and character mature, he reveals his evolution to becoming a good man who overcomes the shackles of his street culture and the prison culture. He writes that he transformed himself by his drive to emulate the great Africans and African Americans of his culture. I am inclined to believe the story of his redemption, but as he takes on roles of responsibility in the community, I wonder whether his transformation should be vetted. I doubt that he or his community would rely on the "infallibility" of the Parole Board. No doubt he has an extraordinarily strong character that enabled him to survive so much solitary confinement. He provides a highly readable account of generally atrocious conditions in a variety of Michigan prisons, but does not dwell on them to excess. You can read of the horror of the street with guns, beefs, booze, drugs and dealing, coupled with the horror of the prison blocks and yards swept by battles for control and reputation but feel uplifted by the evolution of the author. The author's transformation is a wonderful thing that makes this book ultimately a joy.

As soon as I read the description for this book, I knew I was going to have to buy it and read it. I find the criminal justice system to be very intriguing and found this book while seeking pieces of writing written by inmates or those involved within the jail. In college, I took a class called the Open Minds program which placed myself and 9 other students in the same room as inmates. We shared our thoughts on race, class, gender, and much more through writing. It gave me great insight into the lives of inmates and the issues that they faced both within and outside of jail. This made me, after the class ended, want to get more involved with the prison system and learn more about inmates and officers. Senghor's stories show his feelings as he struggled to grow up in the harsh streets of Detroit. At a young age, Senghor was involved in drugs, sex, and violence, culminating in him being shot at age 17 and ultimately killing someone else at age 19. When he entered the system, he was angry. Only years later did he realize that the anger was a cover for fear. The story covers his decision to change his life around and ultimately make something of himself. At its core, Senghor's story is a redemption story. However, it does show a darker side to growing up that many people may not see in their every day lives or even realize is happening. The story went back and forth between present time and the past, which was a bit confusing at first but easy to get a hang of after a while. There were parts - particularly surrounding Senghor's own psyche and psychological state - that I wish could have been expanded upon. But overall I found this to be an amazing read and highly recommend it to others. Not only will it give you more insight into the criminal justice system as a whole but a better look at those who live within it.

In the last few years I've learned: Never to judge a book by its cover, never judge where a person have been, and never assume just because a person isn't walking the same journey like yours doesn't mean they’re unmotivated. And then there’s Shaka Senghor. He's the epitome of “second chances”. Anyone can say they’re redeemed, but actions truly speak louder than words -- and in his latest book, “Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison”, proves that seeking a second chance takes perseverance and crazy, unwavering faith. In this novel, Shaka writes an honest portrayal of his childhood leading to his nineteen years in prison. The descriptive details through page after page is extraordinarily raw, conveying prison life only a former inmate could do. . If you work with kids, or a community activist, or just enjoy a great read, this book is for you! Moreover, Senghor’s prolific storytelling will move you to think deeper about self-worth and overcoming challenges when hope is all you have. In other words, grab your copy today!

Greetings my brother. My name is Rico Sims. I'm from Sacramento California however currently I'm in the state of Texas. I'm serving a 20 year sentence for murder I pled bargain for. I'll be 38 years old June, I was arrested in June 2010. 17 days before your release. I just finished reading your book and I must admit I was touched to my breaking point. However, you gave me hope and more of a appetite to learn and energy to keep walking my time down. From the first page to the last. You had my mind captured. You really have an inspirational testimony yet that wasn't the only thing that caught my attention. Our lives were similar in some ways when it comes to the streets. Living in California, pistol play was more of the norm then pop warner football or other activities teenagers got involved in. By far did I just wake up one day and say I wanna change. My change came with the reality of our fallen race and the people I have cause so much pain. My victim and his family, my wonderful family and witnessing our brothers and sisters deteriorate over greed. And most knowingly admitting to being a big part of this devilish lifestyle. I want to help even more and agree with you. It's time my brother and I want you to know that we have brothers like you working in endlessly to make a difference. Keep up the great work Shaka, please know you're a blessing to me and our brothers and sisters.

I teach college sociology courses such as Social Problems and Human Relations, and have been using Shaka Senghor's writings in my classes since 2010. This book is invaluable as a textbook! It stands alone as the book that the students relate to and appreciate the most. If you want students to rethink what it means to be human and how exactly human transformation takes place, this is not only a personal story of transformation (and WHAT a story it is!), but also blueprint map and resource on how we might take those steps collectively as a society. The power of words, reading and writing, of language, to that actual making a new human is witnessed on the pages. If you read this book in conjunction with Senghor's fiction writing, such as his novels CRACK and CRACK II, and poetry (some of which can be found in LIVE IN PEACE: A YOUTH GUIDE TO TURNING HURT INTO HOPE) you can really see where life informs art and art informs life, and the two things can no longer be separated. Not in our minds and not in our disciplinary models when designing educational curriculum. READ THIS BOOK!

Most reviews and recommendations here focus on the hope and possibility of redemption. But this book also sheds light on the many emotional pressures on children either from their neighborhoods, family disruption, lack of communication, and so many combinations that cause children to lose the promise of a bright future and fall into dysfunctional and ultimately self-destructive and dangerous behaviors. Furthermore we see how our legal and penal system then serve to reinforce the anger, violence and helplessness, that the author so clearly describes of so many of the other young men with whom he served prison time, and in his own personal experience. Yes, he was able to use his intellect, love of reading and self-reflection to eventually gain a perspective, along with love and support from those who cared about him, to climb out of his despair and build an amazing meaningful life helping others who had been through similar trauma. But this book also helps us all learn and care about the many forms of victims our society continues to create.

While I enjoyed this book, and the author's depth into his life and the change that happened; it left me unsettled. He acknowledges his crimes and misdeeds, and takes responsibility. However, there remains a layer of racism veiled throughout his story. The area that stands out is his brutal attack on an officer - and I got the feeling that his belief is the guard deserved it, and sometimes he was treated poorly, not because of his actions and the reputation he earned but because of the white guards. I'm not naive enough to think all guards are heroes and have integrity; however, it's suspect to think that the opposite is true as well. Not all white guards are racist and punish black inmates just because. Our prison system is broken, and more power to this man for overcoming and becoming an example - and coming out to mentor at risk youth. However, we, as a society, need to quit looking at color as the reason for every wrong or right.

His writing style is intelligent and divine, his honesty makes you demanding. His story revolutionises. How he speaks of prison life and solitary confinement sometimes feels like a microcosm of life outside prison bars. Rape, corruption, violence, mental illness, injustice, justice, trust, betrayal, hope, love and finally redemption– but intensified by 500%. The inspiring thing about Shaka – he knew the right questions to ask himself, then had the courage to do something with the answers he found. A book for people interested in other people.

good read...

Great read. I just had to read Shaka's story after hearing his interview on The Rich Roll Podcast. This book is very powerful. Shaka is a great writer, I could not put this book down and devoured it in two sittings. Beautifully written a story of faith, hope, love in a place where most would not live by these values.

Good

A moving account from a man who lived on the streets, survived the jails & turned his life around. A story of survival and determination. Not many could make it through such challenges. Shaka did this and more, he learned to thrive.