Welcome to Litsy!

I‘ve been on a real non fiction kick recently when it comes to amplifying black voices. I‘m not sure why. Fiction can be just as powerful in exploring different identities and experiences.

This memoir has stuck with me. Senghor calls attention to finding oneself and not letting society‘s narrative hold you back. #blackvoices Tagging @Megabooks 😘

“If i embraced death, then i wouldn‘t have to live in fear of dying - at least that‘s what i told myself. The reality was that my true fear was of living, because living had become too painful.”

“I‘m asking you to envision a world where men and women aren‘t held hostage to their pasts, where misdeeds and mistakes don‘t define you for the rest of your life. In an era of record incarcerations and a culture of violence, we can learn to love those who no longer love themselves. Together, we can begin to make things right.“ Well worth reading! #race #prison #redemption #writing #healing #trauma

Exciting #bookmail today! Shaka Senghor was a featured speaker at Sounds True‘s Healing Trauma Summit this month, and he spoke about the power of writing to transform lives. His life story is a great journey of redemption. Alexander Chee‘s book has some great advice for writers, so I ordered it before returning the library‘s copy. #writersoflitsy #writersonwriting #race #trauma

Shaka Senghor was a young man on the streets of Detroit, heavy into drug dealing, when he shot and killed a man. He spent a lot of time in prison deflecting and blaming others for where he ended up. It was only after much reflection that he was able to get to the root of his anger and where it had led him. A truly inspiring read. #werise #aprella

This is between a pick and so-so for me. I listened to the audiobook, but feel it would have been better if I read it instead as I found the audiobook monotonous. That being said, this is a great memoir about Senghor's life on the street and while incarcerated. He touches on a lot of points and subjects that bear digging into more. It is inspiring to see that he made the choice to change and then worked hard for it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#memoir #prison

This was 100% #blameitonlitsy. This book was new to me but I'm glad I discovered it because it was very insightful and inspiring. It's the first time it's made sense to me why young black men are killing each other. Shaka's transformation from a blood thirsty crack dealer to an adult who was able to function in society in a positive way was so encouraging. I was rooting for him the whole way. Every setback had me despairing for him.

Writing My Wrongs is a moving account of Senghor's life -- both the experiences that led to his conviction for 2nd degree murder and his experiences in the prison system. Senghor takes accountability for his actions and also sheds light on some of the problems of a system that attempts to both punish and rehabilitate at the same time. I think this book will serves as a good intro for The New Jim Crow.

Loved this honest memoir by a Detroit drug dealer who spent 19 years in the system for shooting a customer. His depiction of the ups and downs of the Michigan prison system doesn't seek pity from the reader (he admits throughout that he murdered someone) but instead enlists empathy to change the broken incarceration process and build better checks and balances to help the right convicts get out. Ps. This is part of Silicon Valley reads.

#booktober! I read this memorable memoir in one day. Shaka talks about life in 1980s Detroit, selling drugs, serving time and reflecting on your choices, and getting out and learning to be a role model. He has a great, compelling voice on paper, do pick this book up!! @RealLifeReading

Audio Memoir insightful look into the justice system and how people get there. Not an easy read as it pushes against preconceived notions.

This book was great! I highly recommend it. Shaka Senghor is such an inspiration. He offers a raw look into what life in prison is like.

"The way I see it, you get out of people what you put into them."

I highly recommend this book. Known for a failing prison system-to hear of one man's successful journey through is a bright spot in the mess that incarceration can be.