Writing My Wrongs by Shaka Senghor Summary
Overview of Writing My Wrongs
From prison cell to New York Times bestseller, Shaka Senghor's raw memoir of redemption captivated Oprah Winfrey, who admitted "his story touched my soul." Can one man's journey from drug dealer to prison mentor reshape America's broken justice system?
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A Journey Through Fire: From Streets to Cell to Soul
Detroit in the 1980s was no place for innocence. As crack cocaine transformed vibrant neighborhoods into war zones, young Shaka Senghor found himself caught in the undertow. What began as camaraderie on Glenfield Street quickly evolved into something darker. One day you're playing basketball; the next, you're dodging bullets. Death became an ever-present companion hovering over everyday decisions. Have you ever wondered how someone transitions from a child with dreams to a hardened street soldier? For Shaka, it wasn't one decision but a series of small choices, each seeming inconsequential at the time. His first encounter with the drug economy came through Miko, offering a "crash course in the street economy." The mixture of fear and excitement was palpable as he learned the intricacies of dealing. But this newfound wealth came with a price - emptiness and distrust became constant companions, each sale representing another step away from innocence. Life on the streets operates on a delicate balance of respect and fear. When that balance tips, the consequences can be devastating. For Shaka, the gritty reality culminated in a life-altering decision when violence erupted on Glenfield, blurring lines between survival and self-destruction. The pivotal moment arrived when a confrontation led to murder, testing the bonds of loyalty against survival instincts. Imagine standing at that crossroads, feeling the weight of decisions that cannot be undone. The arrest served as a somber entry into reflection on misplaced trust and misguided decisions. Years later, Shaka would recognize how his anger was fueled by circumstances surrounding his arrest - friends violating street code by testifying against him. Only with maturity did he realize the unrealistic expectations he placed on them, overlooking that they were merely kids, some paralyzed by childhood fears.
Behind Steel Doors: The Reality of Incarceration
The Power of Words and Resistance
Confronting the System and Finding Brotherhood
Love Beyond Concrete and Steel
From Prison to Purpose: A Journey of Transformation
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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