Shaka Senghor Character Analysis

Redemption, courage, and transformation. These are characteristics that I believe describe an American that’s made a dramatic impact in my life over the last decade. It wasn’t until about two years ago that I first learned about Shaka Senghor and his life altering decision to commit murder. Taboo. However, for Shaka who had previously been a victim of gun violence shot three times his unequivocal decision didn’t seem farfetched, but rational.

Most people cannot understand why I have selected Shaka Senghor as an American who’s made a significant contribution in the last decade. I don’t care about the status quo my goal is to reach the outliers of which I consider Mr. Senghor. After spending two decades incarcerated it is mostly what Senghor went through during his sentence that contributed to his conversion. Senghor lived more than 7 years of his prison sentence in solitude confinement which provided him with much time to reflect on his choices and more importantly to examine his life and share what he learned with others.

Shaka was not a gatekeeper of knowledge but a seeker and a mentor to others. For this I am grateful. It is because of Mr. Senghor’s mission post incarceration to continue doing work in improving and informing at risk and economically disadvantaged communities that I salute his accomplishments. I respect

Shaka for his decision to share his message and not shun away from the media attention that put a microscope lens on his life to further exploit him. Shaka stood up to adversity and controversy with his truth. His belief that a large portion of prisoners can benefit from counseling and mentors as a road to redemption rather than more punishable jail time resonates.
Learning the amount of revenue jails generate Shaka’s decision to exploit its pitfalls and detriment to at risk victims is significant.

I only hope that I become half of the man Shaka is as I continue to develop into a man. I am sixteen years old and an African American male. Although I may not have experienced the same childhood as Senghor I am familiar with the stereotypes that lead many minorities into the pipeline to prison. I believe if it wasn’t for my mom’s exposure to Shaka’s compelling 2014 ted talk that I would’ve ever learned about the criminal justice system and the possibility of redemption for hardened criminal’s even

murderers.
Because of Shaka’s voice I have become an advocate for at risk youth and I aspire to become part of the change. I want my school to adapt a mentoring program and before I enter my senior year I plan to write and submit a proposal to the superintendent on why this would be a benefit for the youth in the community. This American Hero Shaka Senghor has equipped me with knowledge through his personal journey which is why he is a role model that inspires me to do my best and be the best I can for others