Shaka Senghor: Why your worst deeds don’t define you

The speaker shares his journey from being a young drug dealer who committed murder to a transformed individual advocating for change in the justice system. He discusses his early life, the impact of his parents' divorce, and the events leading to his incarceration. In prison, he faced challenges but found transformation through mentorship, literature, family support, and writing. After release, he worked to help others reintegrate into society and advocated for a more empathetic approach to incarceration.

What was the narrator's dream profession before his life took a drastic turn?

• Teacher

• Engineer

• Doctor

• Lawyer

What illegal activities did the narrator engage in while in prison?

• Identity theft

• Bribery

• Black market trading and loan sharking

• Forgery

What prompted the narrator to begin his journey of self-reflection?

• A visit from his father

• A letter from his son

• A conversation with a fellow inmate

• A book he read

Which philosopher's work did the narrator reflect on during his transformation?

• Aristotle

• Plato

• Nietzsche

• Kant

What role did literature play in the narrator's transformation?

• It provided entertainment

• It was a way to pass time

• It helped him escape reality

• It shattered stereotypes he had about himself

How did the narrator's father contribute to his transformation?

• By writing letters to him

• By having unshakable faith in his ability to change

• By providing financial support

• By visiting him regularly

What was the final key element in the narrator's transformation?

• Meditation

• Writing

• Exercise

• Art

What was the narrator's reaction to modern technology after his release?

• He found it overwhelming

• He disliked it

• He was fascinated, especially by phone technology

• He was indifferent

What is the narrator's wish regarding the approach to mass incarceration?

• To ignore the issue

• To build more prisons

• To embrace a more empathetic approach

• To increase prison sentences

What percentage of incarcerated individuals are expected to return to the community?

• 50%

• 70%

• 100%

• 90%