A review by shirleytupperfreeman
Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison by Shaka Senghor

Shaka Senghor's story is a testament to both the possibility of a transformed life and the wastefulness represented by so much of the urban drug culture. Senghor was a bright young boy growing up in a stable family. At age 11, his parents split up and Senghor was forced to live with his ultimately abusive mother. By 14, Senghor was living mostly on the streets when he became a valuable "employee" of the drug trade. By 17, he had been shot and by 19 he was doing the shooting, leading to a 19 year prison sentence. After years filled with anger and violence, but also reading and leadership, Senghor experienced a strong desire for forgiveness. He learned to forgive his family and himself (eventually) and he asked for, and received, forgiveness from his victim's family. This book is his story. It is matter-of-fact, well-written and eye-opening.