Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Writing My Wrongs
Writing My Wrongs: A Memoir | Shaka Senghor
14 posts | 16 read | 55 to read
In 1991, at the age of nineteen, Shaka Senghor shot and killed a man. He was a young drug dealer with a quick temper who had been hardened by what he experienced selling drugs on the unforgiving streets of Detroit. For years, as he served out his sentence for second degree murder, he blamed everybody else but himself for the decision he made to shoot on that fateful night. It wasn't until Shaka started writing about the pain from his childhood and his life on the streets that he was able to get at the root of the anger that led him to prison. Through the power of journaling, he accepted responsibility for his violent behavior and now uses his experience to help others avoid the same path--P. [4] of cover.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
blurb
Reviewsbylola
post image

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 😘

Megabooks Thanks for the tag! I‘m thinking about what to use! 4y
MarriedtoMrT I was fortunate enough to hear him speak a few years ago. He is a really compelling speaker and storyteller. 4y
Reviewsbylola What an awesome opportunity! @MarriedtoMrT 4y
70 likes3 comments
quote
cookreadsleep
post image

“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.”

review
Louise
post image
Pickpick

“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

Reviewsbylola I found this so inspirational. 6y
Louise @Reviewsbylola Yes, it‘s quite a story of transformation! 6y
113 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Louise
post image

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

Reviewsbylola I really enjoyed Shaka Sengor‘s book. Very inspiring. I bet he would be excellent to hear in person. 6y
Louise @Reviewsbylola That‘s good to hear! His talk at the Healing Trauma Summit was beautiful. He spoke about how he had gradually come to understand how childhood trauma had set him on the path that led him to prison and that recognizing his original inner wholeness helped him to transform the trauma and forge a new future for himself. Writing helped him to organize and clarify his thoughts along that path. (edited) 6y
youneverarrived Hi I got your lovely postcard today, thanks so much 😘 6y
Louise @youneverarrived You‘re very welcome, Katie! Thanks for letting me know it made its way to you safe and sound. 😊 6y
79 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Reviewsbylola
post image

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

8little_paws Second this!! A great memoir. 7y
Cinfhen I‘ve already stacked it, now to read it! 7y
emilyhaldi 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 7y
See All 6 Comments
Meredith3 Sounds very interesting! 7y
Mdargusch Sounds like it would be very inspirational! 7y
99 likes10 stack adds6 comments
review
Kristy_K
post image
Pickpick

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

51 likes2 stack adds
review
Reviewsbylola
post image
Pickpick

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.

Laura317 Sounds a bit like Lecrae's book. I love those sort of stories. 8y
Mdargusch Not sure if this is my kind of book, but your review makes me want to read it. 🤔 8y
MarriedtoMrT I haven't read his book yet but I saw him speak at a conference and it was awesome. It should be required that everyone see him speak! 8y
See All 7 Comments
Reviewsbylola I would love to see him speak! @MarriedtoMrT 8y
Reviewsbylola I'm not sure it would be your cup of tea but branching out is good! Give it a shot! @Mdargusch (edited) 8y
Reviewsbylola I'm not familiar with his book, but now that I just looked it up, they definitely seem to be in the same vein. @Laura317 8y
Cinfhen Sounds like a really solid read @Reviewsbylola Will definitely check it out! Thanks!!! 8y
100 likes12 stack adds7 comments
review
lauralovesbooks1
post image
Pickpick

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.

8little_paws I also thought this was an excellent memoir. I couldn't put it down! 8y
14 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
Readaholics
post image
Pickpick

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.

118 likes17 stack adds
review
8little_paws
post image
Pickpick

#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

34 likes2 stack adds
review
Ksvz
post image
Pickpick

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

review
chelseeatkinson
Pickpick

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.

quote
chelseeatkinson

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

review
Raquel1
post image
Pickpick

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.