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

New York Times bestseller from a member of Oprah's SuperSoul 100. An unforgettable memoir of redemption and second chances amidst America's mass incarceration epidemic. Shaka Senghor was raised in a middle class neighborhood on Detroit's east side during the height of the 1980s crack epidemic. An honor roll student and a natural leader, he dreamed of becoming a doctor--but at age 11, his parents' marriage began to unravel, and beatings from his mother worsened, which sent him on a downward spiral. He ran away from home, turned to drug dealing to survive, and ended up in prison for murder at the age of 19, full of anger and despair. Writing My Wrongs is the story of what came next. During his nineteen-year incarceration, seven of which were spent in solitary confinement, Senghor discovered literature, meditation, self-examination, and the kindness of others--tools he used to confront the demons of his past, forgive the people who hurt him, and begin atoning for the wrongs he had committed. Upon his release at age thirty-eight, Senghor became an activist and mentor to young men and women facing circumstances like his. His work in the community and the courage to share his story led him to fellowships at the MIT Media Lab and the Kellogg Foundation and invitations to speak at events like TED and the Aspen Ideas Festival. In equal turns, Writing My Wrongs is a page-turning portrait of life in the shadow of poverty, violence, and fear; an unforgettable story of redemption and a compelling witness to our country's need for rethinking its approach to crime, prison, and the men and women sent there.

Now in paperback, the critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling story of a man who went from being a convicted murderer to becoming a lecturer at the University of Michigan, a mentor and motivational speaker at conferences like TED and Aspen Ideas, a leading voice for criminal justice reform, and an inspiration to thousands. Shaka Senghor was raised in Detroit during the height of the 1980s crack epidemic. An honour roll student and a natural leader, he had dreams of becoming a doctor--but at age 11, his parents' marriage began to unravel and the beatings from his mother worsened, sending him on a downward spiral that saw him end up in prison for murder at the age of 19, fuming with anger and despair. Writing My Wrongs is the story of what came next. During his 19-year incarceration, 7 of which were spent in solitary confinement, Senghor discovered literature, meditation, and self-examination, tools that he used to confront the demons of his past, forgive the people who hurt him, and begin atoning for the wrongs he had committed. Upon his release at age 38, Senghor became an activist and mentor to young men and women facing circumstances like his. In equal parts, Writing My Wrongs is a page-turning portrait of life in the shadow of violence and fear; an unforgettable redemption story, reminding us that our worst deeds don't define us; and a compelling witness to our country's need for change in how it approaches crime, prison, and the men and women who are sent there.