The following excerpt are taken from this book to give the reader an idea of the struggles and transformation one must undertake to hurdle the obstacles of injustice:

“Waking up in a jail cell was a very strange, tough and demanding experience for a somewhat illiterate and unsophisticated teenager. At the age of seventeen, I had very little exposure and knowledge outside of the tiny world that defined my existence. Despite grief, fear, confusion and the loss of the best years of life, prison would become the place where I literally developed from a boy into manhood.”

“The circumstances of my imprisonment had a way of suppressing me as I became very introverted in nature. It was from this internal perspective that I’ve learned a lot about myself, better ways to improve myself, and how to operate more effectively both subjectively and in my relationship to the things around me. I was determined to rise above the many negative activities associated with prison life. In principle, I vowed to educate myself, to fight for my freedom and to survive.”

“Special Housing Unit (SHU), the box, is prison’s ultimate test of mental toughness. It’s a place where misery and mental pressure rule. SHU became my mirror to reflect and my mental portal to travel. Doing time in SHU provided the opportunity to contemplate. This is where I came to terms with the impact imprisonment was having upon me. My fears, loneliness, hatred, rage and revenge were also fueling my body with stress and stress was slowly eating away at my insides.”

“The need to empower myself was validated when I began to not only perceive, but realize my physical health is as important as my mental development. I took the initiative to create a balanced and holistic approach to mental and physical fitness. I started taking care of my body the way I was taking care of my mind and the rewards appeared like magic. In the last 15 years of my imprisonment, I went to the doctor less than 10 times, once for the flu and the others for a physical exam. I am an eyewitness to what is possible
when I believe in the power that exists within us.”

“It became obvious, since self-empowerment begins on the inside, I needed to develop a stronger core. I needed to take a trip on an internal pilgrimage. The guidance of my ancestors, the blessings of my elders, nor the wisdom of my family and friends could not take me there. The journey became my responsibility and mine alone….”