'When They Call You a Terrorist' is a powerful memoir that dives into the life of Patrisse Khan-Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement. Through her personal and poignant narrative, she confronts the systemic racism and police brutality that shaped her existence. The book explores themes of identity, activism, and the complexities of being labeled as a terrorist by society. Khan-Cullors shares her journey from childhood to becoming a pivotal figure in the fight for justice, challenging readers to reconsider societal labels. This evocative story compellingly invites us to examine the intersections of race, resistance, and resilience in America.
By Patrisse Khan-Cullors, asha bandele
Published: 2020
""We are more than the things we’ve done, more than the labels we wear. In our struggle for justice, we reclaim our stories, and through them, we find our power.""
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. New York Times Editor’s Pick. Library Journal Best Books of 2019. TIME Magazine's "Best Memoirs of 2018 So Far." O, Oprah’s Magazine’s “10 Titles to Pick Up Now.” Politics & Current Events 2018 O.W.L. Book Awards Winner The Root Best of 2018 "This remarkable book reveals what inspired Patrisse's visionary and courageous activism and forces us to face the consequence of the choices our nation made when we criminalized a generation. This book is a must-read for all of us." - Michelle Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of The New Jim Crow A poetic and powerful memoir about what it means to be a Black woman in America—and the co-founding of a movement that demands justice for all in the land of the free. Raised by a single mother in an impoverished neighborhood in Los Angeles, Patrisse Khan-Cullors experienced firsthand the prejudice and persecution Black Americans endure at the hands of law enforcement. For Patrisse, the most vulnerable people in the country are Black people. Deliberately and ruthlessly targeted by a criminal justice system serving a white privilege agenda, Black people are subjected to unjustifiable racial profiling and police brutality. In 2013, when Trayvon Martin’s killer went free, Patrisse’s outrage led her to co-found Black Lives Matter with Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi. Condemned as terrorists and as a threat to America, these loving women founded a hashtag that birthed the movement to demand accountability from the authorities who continually turn a blind eye to the injustices inflicted upon people of Black and Brown skin. Championing human rights in the face of violent racism, Patrisse is a survivor. She transformed her personal pain into political power, giving voice to a people suffering inequality and a movement fueled by her strength and love to tell the country—and the world—that Black Lives Matter. When They Call You a Terrorist is Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele’s reflection on humanity. It is an empowering account of survival, strength and resilience and a call to action to change the culture that declares innocent Black life expendable.
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“"We are more than the things we’ve done, more than the labels we wear. In our struggle for justice, we reclaim our stories, and through them, we find our power."”
When They Call You a Terrorist
By Patrisse Khan-Cullors, asha bandele
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Patrisse Khan-Cullors is a renowned activist, artist, and author, best known as one of the co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement. Her notable works include the critically acclaimed memoir "When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir," which explores her experiences as a Black woman in America and the systemic injustices faced by marginalized communities. Khan-Cullors’ writing is characterized by its poignant storytelling, deep reflection on identity and race, and a powerful call to action for social justice. In addition to her literary contributions, she has also been involved in various artistic endeavors, blending activism with creativity to promote change.
Asha Bandele is an acclaimed author, poet, and journalist known for her poignant and thought-provoking writing that often explores themes of identity, race, and resilience. Her notable works include the memoir "My Rainy Days" and the novel "The Prisoner's Wife," which delves into the complexities of love and incarceration. Bandele's writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose and emotional depth, making her a significant voice in contemporary literature.
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