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Better, Not Bitter: Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Racial Justice
Named a Best Book of 2021 by NPR
This inspirational memoir serves as a call to action from prison reform activist Yusef Salaam, of the Exonerated Five, that will inspire us all to turn our stories into tools for change in the pursuit of racial justice.
They didn't know who they had.
So begins Yusef Salaam telling his story. No one's life is the sum of the worst things that happened to them, and during Yusef Salaam's seven years of wrongful incarceration as one of the Central Park Five, he grew from child to man, and gained a spiritual perspective on life. Yusef learned that we're all "born on purpose, with a purpose." Despite having confronted the racist heart of America while being "run over by the spiked wheels of injustice," Yusef channeled his energy and pain into something positive, not just for himself but for other marginalized people and communities.
Better Not Bitter is the first time that one of the now Exonerated Five is telling his individual story, in his own words. Yusef writes his narrative: growing up Black in central Harlem in the '80s, being raised by a strong, fierce mother and grandmother, his years of incarceration, his reentry, and exoneration. Yusef connects these stories to lessons and principles he learned that gave him the power to survive through the worst of life's experiences. He inspires readers to accept their own path, to understand their own sense of purpose. With his intimate personal insights, Yusef unpacks the systems built and designed for profit and the oppression of Black and Brown people. He inspires readers to channel their fury into action, and through the spiritual, to turn that anger and trauma into a constructive force that lives alongside accountability and mobilizes change.
This memoir is an inspiring story that grew out of one of the gravest miscarriages of justice, one that not only speaks to a moment in time or the rage-filled present, but reflects a 400-year history of a nation's inability to be held accountable for its sins. Yusef Salaam's message is vital for our times, a motivating resource for enacting change. Better, Not Bitter has the power to soothe, inspire and transform. It is a galvanizing call to action.
This inspirational memoir serves as a call to action from prison reform activist Yusef Salaam, of the Exonerated Five, that will inspire us all to turn our stories into tools for change in the pursuit of racial justice.
They didn't know who they had.
So begins Yusef Salaam telling his story. No one's life is the sum of the worst things that happened to them, and during Yusef Salaam's seven years of wrongful incarceration as one of the Central Park Five, he grew from child to man, and gained a spiritual perspective on life. Yusef learned that we're all "born on purpose, with a purpose." Despite having confronted the racist heart of America while being "run over by the spiked wheels of injustice," Yusef channeled his energy and pain into something positive, not just for himself but for other marginalized people and communities.
Better Not Bitter is the first time that one of the now Exonerated Five is telling his individual story, in his own words. Yusef writes his narrative: growing up Black in central Harlem in the '80s, being raised by a strong, fierce mother and grandmother, his years of incarceration, his reentry, and exoneration. Yusef connects these stories to lessons and principles he learned that gave him the power to survive through the worst of life's experiences. He inspires readers to accept their own path, to understand their own sense of purpose. With his intimate personal insights, Yusef unpacks the systems built and designed for profit and the oppression of Black and Brown people. He inspires readers to channel their fury into action, and through the spiritual, to turn that anger and trauma into a constructive force that lives alongside accountability and mobilizes change.
This memoir is an inspiring story that grew out of one of the gravest miscarriages of justice, one that not only speaks to a moment in time or the rage-filled present, but reflects a 400-year history of a nation's inability to be held accountable for its sins. Yusef Salaam's message is vital for our times, a motivating resource for enacting change. Better, Not Bitter has the power to soothe, inspire and transform. It is a galvanizing call to action.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 18, 2021
189 people are currently reading
8408 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
June 3, 2021
A positive, engaging and disarming memoir, I'm hopeful that the Exonerated Five will continue to bring change to the criminal justice system. Yusef had his adolescence stolen from him, because of a corrupt and unjust criminal justice system. In his memoir he described the many ways that he was protected and given divine purpose despite his circumstances. Yusef illustrates how negative stereotypes that have driven mass incarceration, and the danger of ignorance in a society that has stripped humanity from young black men.
"The systematic oppression created by white supremacy and white male dominance has to alter us in order to justify it's evil works."
Yusef talks speaks honestly about his hardships in prison and the mental issues he had to grapple with as he returned to a society where he was branded as a rapist. The captivating storytelling has a overarching positive message about perseverance and resilience. I was awed by how Yusef and his family channeled their rage into positive actions to help others, despite their infuriating and unjust experiences.
"My challenge to you is this: No matter what life has taken you through, try to live full and die empty."
I would recommend this to readers who want a encouraging call to action to continue to fight against injustice . Yusef is Muslim so he illustrates how his faith helped him with some passages of the Quran. But he encourages readers whatever their beliefs are to have faith in themselves and their purpose.
"The systematic oppression created by white supremacy and white male dominance has to alter us in order to justify it's evil works."
Yusef talks speaks honestly about his hardships in prison and the mental issues he had to grapple with as he returned to a society where he was branded as a rapist. The captivating storytelling has a overarching positive message about perseverance and resilience. I was awed by how Yusef and his family channeled their rage into positive actions to help others, despite their infuriating and unjust experiences.
"My challenge to you is this: No matter what life has taken you through, try to live full and die empty."
I would recommend this to readers who want a encouraging call to action to continue to fight against injustice . Yusef is Muslim so he illustrates how his faith helped him with some passages of the Quran. But he encourages readers whatever their beliefs are to have faith in themselves and their purpose.
February 27, 2022
Deeply powerful, inspirational memoir infused with Islamic spirituality while discussing racial justice.
December 6, 2021
“My experience taught me how to deal with fear. Like many have said, fear is nothing more than false evidence appearing as reality, and I believe that to be true. After all, It was fear of Black and Brown bodies that led America to damn the five of us, for the false evidence linking us to a crime to be taken for fact.”
BETTER, NOT BITTER
Better, Not Bitter is written by Yusef Salaam. If you do not know his name, you should. He was one of the Exonerated Five– five innocent youths that were convicted and sentenced to prison in the Central Park Jogger case in 1989. This book is a memoir that documents the case, the trial, the prison sentence, and the exoneration. Yusef was only 15 at the time and he personally experienced the systemic racism of America. However, his experience shaped him and the spirituality that gave him purpose and hope.
This memoir is a difficult read, but a necessary one. It is inspirational, but one that should have never happened. This book goes into detail about Yusef Salaam’s devotion and spirituality within the Islam religion and how his relationship with Allah forged a way for him to keep looking forward and now he is doing what he can for his community. While I am not Muslim, it is still an inspiring read and I could not be happier that he found something to help him through this terrible injustice.
We must do better. Our justice system is failing our communities, specifically Black and Hispanic communities. We cannot allow this to happen to another innocent person. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
BETTER, NOT BITTER
Better, Not Bitter is written by Yusef Salaam. If you do not know his name, you should. He was one of the Exonerated Five– five innocent youths that were convicted and sentenced to prison in the Central Park Jogger case in 1989. This book is a memoir that documents the case, the trial, the prison sentence, and the exoneration. Yusef was only 15 at the time and he personally experienced the systemic racism of America. However, his experience shaped him and the spirituality that gave him purpose and hope.
This memoir is a difficult read, but a necessary one. It is inspirational, but one that should have never happened. This book goes into detail about Yusef Salaam’s devotion and spirituality within the Islam religion and how his relationship with Allah forged a way for him to keep looking forward and now he is doing what he can for his community. While I am not Muslim, it is still an inspiring read and I could not be happier that he found something to help him through this terrible injustice.
We must do better. Our justice system is failing our communities, specifically Black and Hispanic communities. We cannot allow this to happen to another innocent person. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
May 20, 2021
Review: Better, Not Bitter
This is such a powerful memoir. As one of the Exonerated Five, Yusef Salaam points out that his life story doesn't begin with his imprisonment, nor does it end with his exoneration. He speaks eloquently about the many challenges he faced in society and the many barriers for men who have been convicted to be able to work and maintain families.
The memoir incorporates passages from the Bible and Qur'an as well as Yusef's original poetry. The writing shifts seamlessly between these verses, individual history, and broad discussion of the societal implications of our "criminal system of injustice." Yusef's photographs further add to the power of his story.
I found the most moving chapter to be the one he wrote for his mother. I can't possibly do it justice. His words deserve to be read in their entirety. So I will stop here by simply saying I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for this book.
This is such a powerful memoir. As one of the Exonerated Five, Yusef Salaam points out that his life story doesn't begin with his imprisonment, nor does it end with his exoneration. He speaks eloquently about the many challenges he faced in society and the many barriers for men who have been convicted to be able to work and maintain families.
The memoir incorporates passages from the Bible and Qur'an as well as Yusef's original poetry. The writing shifts seamlessly between these verses, individual history, and broad discussion of the societal implications of our "criminal system of injustice." Yusef's photographs further add to the power of his story.
I found the most moving chapter to be the one he wrote for his mother. I can't possibly do it justice. His words deserve to be read in their entirety. So I will stop here by simply saying I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for this book.
September 26, 2021
A brilliant book that worked greatly to complement When They See Us, Salaam has a lot to offer in the autobiographical retelling of his life beyond simply recounting past and present. Especially reading this as a young Muslim, I found reading how Salaam turning to Islam in prison and finding his identity as a Muslim both incredibly moving and powerful; especially the little ways faith shielded him from certain cruel aspects of prison. The title of the book really rings true as the reader witnesses the making of his life purpose, and forces one to think about their own purpose - it's not surprising in the slightest that Salaam found a career as a motivational speaker. Surprisingly, despite the heavy subject matter - the book had a lighthearted tone throughout and I would have loved to read even more.
June 26, 2021
Better, Not Bitter is the first time that one of the Exonerated Five has told their story, in their own words. Here, Yusef Salaam shares his thoughts on his seven years of wrongful incarceration as one of the Central Park Five, particularly his reflections on his spiritual journey throughout this grave miscarriage of justice.
While this book wasn’t quite what I expected— I was hoping for more of a personal autobiography, while it’s definitely more of a spiritual/religious read— it has important elements regarding the failures of America’s criminal justice system, as well as inspirational parts about living with purpose in the fight against white supremacy.
During my first quarter of law school, I took a seminar about the Central Park Five, which required that we watch Ava DuVernay’s Netflix series about Yusef and the four other boys involved in this tragedy. Better, Not Bitter doesn’t provide much background on the Central Park Five case— and justifiable so, as it shouldn’t be the main thing that defines the men involved in this devastation— so if you read this book, I would recommend watching “When They See Us” first, in order for this read to make the most sense + to have an even greater respect for the man Yusef is today. Yusef is one of my heroes and his story deserves a platform.
It’s tough to review memoirs, because how can you review someone’s thoughts on their life and the lessons they take from their struggles? So while I felt like this was more of a sermon/inspirational speech than a memoir, and I typically prefer non-fiction books that provide more facts/history, it was still a poetic display of love, forgiveness, and commitment to racial justice.
While this book wasn’t quite what I expected— I was hoping for more of a personal autobiography, while it’s definitely more of a spiritual/religious read— it has important elements regarding the failures of America’s criminal justice system, as well as inspirational parts about living with purpose in the fight against white supremacy.
During my first quarter of law school, I took a seminar about the Central Park Five, which required that we watch Ava DuVernay’s Netflix series about Yusef and the four other boys involved in this tragedy. Better, Not Bitter doesn’t provide much background on the Central Park Five case— and justifiable so, as it shouldn’t be the main thing that defines the men involved in this devastation— so if you read this book, I would recommend watching “When They See Us” first, in order for this read to make the most sense + to have an even greater respect for the man Yusef is today. Yusef is one of my heroes and his story deserves a platform.
It’s tough to review memoirs, because how can you review someone’s thoughts on their life and the lessons they take from their struggles? So while I felt like this was more of a sermon/inspirational speech than a memoir, and I typically prefer non-fiction books that provide more facts/history, it was still a poetic display of love, forgiveness, and commitment to racial justice.
June 8, 2021
This book was so much more than I expected. Mr. Salaam discussed more than the case, he discussed how he survived through it. Although some parts were repetitive, I understood why they were necessary. I saw this book as a sort of thank you speech, a thank you to those people that never stopped believing in him. Those that stood by his side until the very end. It was so refreshing to read this book and notice how he payed homage to other situations that happened to be similar to his. Some situations/people I hadn't heard of, and some I had.
June 13, 2021
Better Not Bitter
By Dr.. Yusef Salaam
Published 5/18/2021 Grand Central Publishing
Best Memoir of 2021 5/5 *****
Huge thanks to #Netgalley and #Grand Central Pub for my ARC, my thoughts in this review are my own.
Synopsis:
. No one's life is the sum of the worst things that happened to them, and during Yusef Salaam's seven years of wrongful incarceration as one of the Central Park Five, he grew from child to man, and gained a spiritual perspective on life. Yusef learned that we're all "born on purpose, with a purpose." Despite having confronted the racist heart of America while being "run over by the spiked wheels of injustice," Yusef channeled his energy and pain into something positive, not just for himself but for other marginalized people and communities.
Better Not Bitter is the first time that one of the now Exonerated Five is telling his individual story, in his own words. Yusef writes his narrative: growing up Black in central Harlem in the '80s, being raised by a strong, fierce mother and grandmother, his years of incarceration, his reentry, and exoneration. Yusef connects these stories to lessons and principles he learned that gave him the power to survive through the worst of life's experiences. He inspires readers to accept their own path, to understand their own sense of purpose. With his intimate personal insights, Yusef unpacks the systems built and designed for profit and the oppression of Black and Brown people. He inspires readers to channel their fury into action, and through the spiritual, to turn that anger and trauma into a constructive force that lives alongside accountability and mobilizes change.
This memoir is an inspiring story that grew out of one of the gravest miscarriages of justice, one that speaks to a moment in time in 1995 or the rage-filled present.
Review:
In 1989 Yusef Salaam was 15 years old.. At 15 he was arrested for a crime he didn't commit, was vilified in the press and on TV. The NY court system and American Justice system robbed him of his youth, a time when teens are going to prom, playing basketball and skateboarding in the park Yusef was robbed of these memories. Instead of sending the teens to juvenile detention, the state of NY sent the five to Riker's Island.
Dr. Salaam had every right to be angry, but the tone of this book is one of peaceful activism. To explain that our country needs a huge overhaul of not just judicial system, but the language of the Constitution that allows men and women to be enslaved under the 13th Amendment.. He explains past the point that " When They See Us" covers, he may have been released, he may have been exonerated of the crime, but the marks on the human spirit that was left was a battle , and his life did not just start over.
Dr. Yusef Salaam left prison his emotional spirit still that of a teen. This book outlines even though he was "free" it was a battle to survive, and thrive in a society that continues to punish men and women even after their debt is paid. There is no support system for those reentering society, and this account is a wake up call for all that will read, and take up the call of action. Without reform we are continuing to perpetuate the atrocities of our history, there must be change : from mental health services, job services, housing; without the essentials needed for coping to a new life , it will continue to be a vicious cycle. Dr. Salaam is using his story as Gods purpose for his life. , but we the reader must also take action, write your legislators about the need for change; so there is no more Central Park Five's, George Floyd, or Breonna Taylor's in this world. Change starts from policing practices, judicial overhaul, and no more prison's for profit. This book was published a year after the death of Ahmaud Arbery, and it was the same mentality that killed Maud that crucified Dr Salaam as a young man in the press. Let us consider all of this, why do we think it is more efficient use of funds to incarcerate a man for $200K a year when that same amount of funding could be put back into our impoverished communities? This book will bring you to tears , make you hug your children and call your legislative representative. It is 2021's must read memoir. This work is as significant as Martun Luther King, Malcom X , and James Baldwin. Educators I recommend this as required reading for criminal justice classes, high school social studies and Sociology classes . This book would make any young person consider we all have mountains to climb in life and faith, perseverance and families are the most important to get us through the darkest hours. Be prepared with tissues, this book will break your heart.
By Dr.. Yusef Salaam
Published 5/18/2021 Grand Central Publishing
Best Memoir of 2021 5/5 *****
Huge thanks to #Netgalley and #Grand Central Pub for my ARC, my thoughts in this review are my own.
Synopsis:
. No one's life is the sum of the worst things that happened to them, and during Yusef Salaam's seven years of wrongful incarceration as one of the Central Park Five, he grew from child to man, and gained a spiritual perspective on life. Yusef learned that we're all "born on purpose, with a purpose." Despite having confronted the racist heart of America while being "run over by the spiked wheels of injustice," Yusef channeled his energy and pain into something positive, not just for himself but for other marginalized people and communities.
Better Not Bitter is the first time that one of the now Exonerated Five is telling his individual story, in his own words. Yusef writes his narrative: growing up Black in central Harlem in the '80s, being raised by a strong, fierce mother and grandmother, his years of incarceration, his reentry, and exoneration. Yusef connects these stories to lessons and principles he learned that gave him the power to survive through the worst of life's experiences. He inspires readers to accept their own path, to understand their own sense of purpose. With his intimate personal insights, Yusef unpacks the systems built and designed for profit and the oppression of Black and Brown people. He inspires readers to channel their fury into action, and through the spiritual, to turn that anger and trauma into a constructive force that lives alongside accountability and mobilizes change.
This memoir is an inspiring story that grew out of one of the gravest miscarriages of justice, one that speaks to a moment in time in 1995 or the rage-filled present.
Review:
In 1989 Yusef Salaam was 15 years old.. At 15 he was arrested for a crime he didn't commit, was vilified in the press and on TV. The NY court system and American Justice system robbed him of his youth, a time when teens are going to prom, playing basketball and skateboarding in the park Yusef was robbed of these memories. Instead of sending the teens to juvenile detention, the state of NY sent the five to Riker's Island.
Dr. Salaam had every right to be angry, but the tone of this book is one of peaceful activism. To explain that our country needs a huge overhaul of not just judicial system, but the language of the Constitution that allows men and women to be enslaved under the 13th Amendment.. He explains past the point that " When They See Us" covers, he may have been released, he may have been exonerated of the crime, but the marks on the human spirit that was left was a battle , and his life did not just start over.
Dr. Yusef Salaam left prison his emotional spirit still that of a teen. This book outlines even though he was "free" it was a battle to survive, and thrive in a society that continues to punish men and women even after their debt is paid. There is no support system for those reentering society, and this account is a wake up call for all that will read, and take up the call of action. Without reform we are continuing to perpetuate the atrocities of our history, there must be change : from mental health services, job services, housing; without the essentials needed for coping to a new life , it will continue to be a vicious cycle. Dr. Salaam is using his story as Gods purpose for his life. , but we the reader must also take action, write your legislators about the need for change; so there is no more Central Park Five's, George Floyd, or Breonna Taylor's in this world. Change starts from policing practices, judicial overhaul, and no more prison's for profit. This book was published a year after the death of Ahmaud Arbery, and it was the same mentality that killed Maud that crucified Dr Salaam as a young man in the press. Let us consider all of this, why do we think it is more efficient use of funds to incarcerate a man for $200K a year when that same amount of funding could be put back into our impoverished communities? This book will bring you to tears , make you hug your children and call your legislative representative. It is 2021's must read memoir. This work is as significant as Martun Luther King, Malcom X , and James Baldwin. Educators I recommend this as required reading for criminal justice classes, high school social studies and Sociology classes . This book would make any young person consider we all have mountains to climb in life and faith, perseverance and families are the most important to get us through the darkest hours. Be prepared with tissues, this book will break your heart.
August 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this memoir from Yusef Salaam, but it was not at all what I expected... in a good way. I thought that the title "better, not bitter" referred to a realization he made later about coming to terms with the injustice that was done to him and the other boys, but it instead seems to be a mindset throughout his life, stemming from his strong Islamic faith.
I am not a religious person, so those aspects did not resonate with me at all, but I can appreciate and be thankful for the ways it benefitted him, and I can also appreciate some of the "life lesson" type teachings he mentioned, even if the source is not something that I follow.
A memorable moment for me in listening to Salaam's memoir was when they were able to view a screening of "When They See Us" - the mini-series by Ava DuVernay about their story. When he recounted seeing Korey's experience (being the only one of the five boys that was over 16, and thus tried and imprisoned as an adult), and how learning about what he went through left them all (but Korey, who couldn't be there) in tears, even so long later, it broke my heart.
But then I watched it myself, and felt like Salaam had not really done it justice. To be fair, this was HIS memoir, not Korey's, but when I finally watched "When They See Us" myself, I sobbed through the whole fourth episode. It was soul crushing to me. The loneliness, the hopelessness, the prolonged isolation, the horrific inhuman conditions, just... broke me. And to know the layers of reasons WHY he was in that situation made it so much harder. It was just brutal.
I'm happy that Yusef's experience wasn't anything like that, and that, comparatively, his time incarcerated wasn't nearly as bad as Korey's, but none of them should have been there in the first place.
Linda Fairstein particularly deserves to rot in hell (if I believed in it) for her role in railroading those kids. But lacking a belief that this will come to pass, I hope she steps on a Lego every day for the rest of her life.
I am not a religious person, so those aspects did not resonate with me at all, but I can appreciate and be thankful for the ways it benefitted him, and I can also appreciate some of the "life lesson" type teachings he mentioned, even if the source is not something that I follow.
A memorable moment for me in listening to Salaam's memoir was when they were able to view a screening of "When They See Us" - the mini-series by Ava DuVernay about their story. When he recounted seeing Korey's experience (being the only one of the five boys that was over 16, and thus tried and imprisoned as an adult), and how learning about what he went through left them all (but Korey, who couldn't be there) in tears, even so long later, it broke my heart.
But then I watched it myself, and felt like Salaam had not really done it justice. To be fair, this was HIS memoir, not Korey's, but when I finally watched "When They See Us" myself, I sobbed through the whole fourth episode. It was soul crushing to me. The loneliness, the hopelessness, the prolonged isolation, the horrific inhuman conditions, just... broke me. And to know the layers of reasons WHY he was in that situation made it so much harder. It was just brutal.
I'm happy that Yusef's experience wasn't anything like that, and that, comparatively, his time incarcerated wasn't nearly as bad as Korey's, but none of them should have been there in the first place.
Linda Fairstein particularly deserves to rot in hell (if I believed in it) for her role in railroading those kids. But lacking a belief that this will come to pass, I hope she steps on a Lego every day for the rest of her life.
December 21, 2024
WOW, such a good book and really not what I expected. At times it started to feel redundant and then got broken up by a very different chapter so that was good.
Glad to hear from a strong source that When They See Us is accurate and well done, because it was impactful to watch.
Glad to hear from a strong source that When They See Us is accurate and well done, because it was impactful to watch.
April 23, 2021
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Thoughts and Themes: This is another book that I can’t review in the same way I tend to review others. Honestly, I find memoirs so hard to review because you can’t really review someone’s life. All I can really discuss with memoirs is the writing style and my feelings as I read through it. This is one that I really hope you all pick up and I will be recommending this to the family which I rarely do.
If you enjoyed watching When They See Us on Netflix then I guarantee that you will enjoy reading this story. This not only gives you one of the exonerated five’s stories through the Central Park Five case but it shows you who Yusef was as a boy and who he is now as he is out of prison.
This book includes many of Yusef’s raw emotions and thoughts as the whole thing happens. I like that he mentions needing to get younger Yusef in order to really write this story. I thought it was greatly written because you see how Yusef wants to feel about everything but how he struggles with it all.
There is so much that I want to say about this book and how important it is but I don’t have the words to express myself. I thought it was important that Yusef talked about how naïve he was and how he also played into the notion that racism was in the past. I thought this was such an important part of the story and it resonated with me. I also was someone who thought racism wasn’t a thing anymore and my dad would explain otherwise but I didn’t believe it until I went to a private university and saw what my dad had been talking about.
I did put this book down several times because you can’t read this without pausing to take things in. You need to pause in order to really listen to this story and what Yusef is saying, there is no breezing through a book like this. I thought it was important that Yusef touches on the injustices that he faced and how these are injustices that all Black people have faced. I thought it was important that he discusses the prison industrial system and the inherent racism of that system. This book touches upon so many different subjects and I think it is important to learn about these things through non-fiction as we are given different and often times new perspectives.
Thoughts and Themes: This is another book that I can’t review in the same way I tend to review others. Honestly, I find memoirs so hard to review because you can’t really review someone’s life. All I can really discuss with memoirs is the writing style and my feelings as I read through it. This is one that I really hope you all pick up and I will be recommending this to the family which I rarely do.
If you enjoyed watching When They See Us on Netflix then I guarantee that you will enjoy reading this story. This not only gives you one of the exonerated five’s stories through the Central Park Five case but it shows you who Yusef was as a boy and who he is now as he is out of prison.
This book includes many of Yusef’s raw emotions and thoughts as the whole thing happens. I like that he mentions needing to get younger Yusef in order to really write this story. I thought it was greatly written because you see how Yusef wants to feel about everything but how he struggles with it all.
There is so much that I want to say about this book and how important it is but I don’t have the words to express myself. I thought it was important that Yusef talked about how naïve he was and how he also played into the notion that racism was in the past. I thought this was such an important part of the story and it resonated with me. I also was someone who thought racism wasn’t a thing anymore and my dad would explain otherwise but I didn’t believe it until I went to a private university and saw what my dad had been talking about.
I did put this book down several times because you can’t read this without pausing to take things in. You need to pause in order to really listen to this story and what Yusef is saying, there is no breezing through a book like this. I thought it was important that Yusef touches on the injustices that he faced and how these are injustices that all Black people have faced. I thought it was important that he discusses the prison industrial system and the inherent racism of that system. This book touches upon so many different subjects and I think it is important to learn about these things through non-fiction as we are given different and often times new perspectives.
February 19, 2025
This inspirational, yet emotional rollercoaster ride is the story of Yusef Salaam, one fifth of the Exonerated Five, formerly known as the Central Park Five. They were wrongfully accused of raping a Central Park jogger and sent to adult prison, as teenagers. He takes the readers on a journey that began with a spiritual foundation. It was that string foundation that sustained him during his imprisonment, being released and trying to acclimate back into society. He talks about being imprisoned at 16 and released at 23…still with the mind of a 16 year old. I learned about the effects of his conviction on his family, his personal relationships and later, reaching out and becoming a motivational speaker to young men who may endured some of the same.
April 30, 2021
This memoir from one of the Exonerated Five is centered on Yusef's serendipitous journey through the harsh prison system as a young teenager. Here he deepened his understanding of Islam and became a spiritual leader. This proved valuable for both his physical and mental well-being through those years of imprisonment and to this day. His story of false accusation is not unique, but his perspective definitely is.
June 8, 2021
“There are people who believe that being a person of colour means that you are automatically guilty, and the onus is on you to have enough receipts to prove yourself innocent….What we’re still doing is appealing to America to see our humanity. We are still jumping through hoops to get crumbs from a table filled with bread. We have to have this inordinate amount of proof for things that white people do with impunity.”
In Better, not Bitter, Yusef Salaam of the exonerated five tells his story, of who he is and not just the tragedy that happened to him.
I never watched When They See Us because I didn't think it was something I could handle emotionally. I went into this one with caution for that same reason but the way Salaam talks about himself and tells his story is so self affirming. He knows who he is and never once allowed himself to be defined otherwise.
This is a book about healing, about freedom - mental, emotional, physical freedom. Salaam talks about how his faith and family helped get him through that terrible time of his life. He sheds some light on how difficult it was to integrate back into society - what it feels like to be physically free but not mentally.
This is also a book that highlights the issues and the systemic roots of the US criminal justice system. The many ways people who come out of this system are set up for failure. While he shares his personal story about overcoming adversity he also acknowledges the ways in which others have not been so lucky.
Despite the horrible event that changed the trajectory of his life, the positivity and determination that Salaam exudes throughout this book is unavoidably infectious. A true reminder to remember who you are, to control your own narrative and to always be better, not bitter.
In Better, not Bitter, Yusef Salaam of the exonerated five tells his story, of who he is and not just the tragedy that happened to him.
I never watched When They See Us because I didn't think it was something I could handle emotionally. I went into this one with caution for that same reason but the way Salaam talks about himself and tells his story is so self affirming. He knows who he is and never once allowed himself to be defined otherwise.
This is a book about healing, about freedom - mental, emotional, physical freedom. Salaam talks about how his faith and family helped get him through that terrible time of his life. He sheds some light on how difficult it was to integrate back into society - what it feels like to be physically free but not mentally.
This is also a book that highlights the issues and the systemic roots of the US criminal justice system. The many ways people who come out of this system are set up for failure. While he shares his personal story about overcoming adversity he also acknowledges the ways in which others have not been so lucky.
Despite the horrible event that changed the trajectory of his life, the positivity and determination that Salaam exudes throughout this book is unavoidably infectious. A true reminder to remember who you are, to control your own narrative and to always be better, not bitter.
June 28, 2021
Beautifully written and uplifting (without the routine or cliche positivity that often comes with some “I got thru this you can too” narratives). Yusef is filled with faith and focus and it’s beautiful to read.
I hate what my country did to him. I hate what my country does to young Black men just like him: innocent, beautiful, hopeful. We are fortunate to have his memoir to hold and study, but we must take action to rage against the injustices that have created a system where crimes against young Black men are ignored or even encouraged.
Read this book and recommend it to a bunch of people. Buy a copy for someone. Get the conversations going. How are we going to stop another Yusef from being arrested? How are we going to repair the system? How can we reimagine the world?
Highly recommended.
I hate what my country did to him. I hate what my country does to young Black men just like him: innocent, beautiful, hopeful. We are fortunate to have his memoir to hold and study, but we must take action to rage against the injustices that have created a system where crimes against young Black men are ignored or even encouraged.
Read this book and recommend it to a bunch of people. Buy a copy for someone. Get the conversations going. How are we going to stop another Yusef from being arrested? How are we going to repair the system? How can we reimagine the world?
Highly recommended.
August 6, 2021
Yusef and four friends were accused of a horrible crime that put them in jail for many years. After they all served their prison sentences, it was proven that another man actually committed the crime. Mr. Salaam wrote this book to discuss his experiences in jail, and how he was able to stay focused on becoming more than the criminal justice system expected him to be. I didn't agree with every assessment the author made about white supremacy, but the book was very eye opening. It was a good read and made me want to watch the Netflix series they made about his story.
"If I believe in God's omniscience and the presence of free will, then I can reconcile that God knew I would be placed in the crosshairs of the system and, because of man's free will, He didn't stop it. But He did soften the blow. Not only that, God ordained that I would not only survive this experience, but I would also live fully in spite of it."
"If I believe in God's omniscience and the presence of free will, then I can reconcile that God knew I would be placed in the crosshairs of the system and, because of man's free will, He didn't stop it. But He did soften the blow. Not only that, God ordained that I would not only survive this experience, but I would also live fully in spite of it."
June 12, 2022
I loved this. AND it made me so sad and mad and frustrated with our justice system. We have to do better for people. I did feel a little bit disoriented, time-wise, in his narrative because he jumped around a bit, but I loved everything he called out in our current culture and especially everything he said about his mom. (4.5 stars)
October 1, 2024
very moving memoir and he weaves religion very deeply into his story without sounding too preachy which is impressive. probably the best word smith I've read all year, I want to read more of his poetry for sure
February 23, 2023
One of the most beautiful serendipitous gifts in life is when a book you really need to read to quench and heal your soul comes into your hands. 'Better, Not Bitter' by Yusef Salaam is a beautifully-written and heartfelt memoir that discusses the egregiously horrific injustice that occurred that stole the freedom and childhoods of the now Exonerated Five and Yusef's journey of healing and taking back the narrative. I needed to read everything that Yusef wrote in this book and it was a deeply healing read for me. It will never cease to be heartbreaking; what was done to the then five boys, what has been done and continues to be done to countless lives in the history and present of this white supremacist nation. I know that Yusef and the other members of the Exonerated Five are going to continue to help change the injustice system of America. Seeing all of the photos of Yusef's family, joy, and life was such a warm touch to this book that made me smile at every photo of him beaming with joy.
Thank you Yusef, you writing this as a form of healing was a balm that extended onto other hearts that needed to read the words that came straight from your beautiful one.
Thank you Yusef, you writing this as a form of healing was a balm that extended onto other hearts that needed to read the words that came straight from your beautiful one.
May 16, 2021
“Knowing the collective narrative is important. Knowing the story of the individual is transformative.”
Thank you @grandcentralpub for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! 📚💕
An extremely impactful, powerful, and educational memoir written by Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five from the Central Park jogger case of 1989. I was hooked right away, from the title of the introduction “Born on Purpose, with a Purpose” all the way to the very last word.
His story is infuriating, and as discussed many times throughout the book, all too common. Mass incarceration and disparities in the US justice system disproportionally affect men of color, shown in Yusef’s case and so many others.
Yusef Salaam not only shared his incredibly unjust, inhumane, and harrowing story to make it more well-known, but also to give people hope in their own lives. He credits his feelings of forgiveness, hope, and lack of bitterness to his strong Islamic faith.
I cannot recommend this book enough!!!! If you watched “When They See Us” on Netflix, which I absolutely recommend watching if you have not, definitely read this. Yusef even focuses on the Netflix series in one of his chapters and explains how powerful it is for his story and healing.
Synopsis:
Yusef Salaam shares his story of being incarcerated for seven years for a crime he did not commit. Yusef gives credit to his faith, art, mother, family, and friends for getting him through the most challenging and infuriating years of his life. He exposes the unjust and racist parts of the criminal justice system, while offering hope for a better future.
Thank you @grandcentralpub for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! 📚💕
An extremely impactful, powerful, and educational memoir written by Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five from the Central Park jogger case of 1989. I was hooked right away, from the title of the introduction “Born on Purpose, with a Purpose” all the way to the very last word.
His story is infuriating, and as discussed many times throughout the book, all too common. Mass incarceration and disparities in the US justice system disproportionally affect men of color, shown in Yusef’s case and so many others.
Yusef Salaam not only shared his incredibly unjust, inhumane, and harrowing story to make it more well-known, but also to give people hope in their own lives. He credits his feelings of forgiveness, hope, and lack of bitterness to his strong Islamic faith.
I cannot recommend this book enough!!!! If you watched “When They See Us” on Netflix, which I absolutely recommend watching if you have not, definitely read this. Yusef even focuses on the Netflix series in one of his chapters and explains how powerful it is for his story and healing.
Synopsis:
Yusef Salaam shares his story of being incarcerated for seven years for a crime he did not commit. Yusef gives credit to his faith, art, mother, family, and friends for getting him through the most challenging and infuriating years of his life. He exposes the unjust and racist parts of the criminal justice system, while offering hope for a better future.
April 8, 2022
This memoir by Yusef Salaam, one of the exonerated Central Park Five, was not an easy read. I picked it up because I am really trying to see past my white privilege and learn from POC perspectives what I can do to help improve things in our country. I agree with Yusef that so many things in the criminal justice system have been stacked against black men, and that our current incarceration program is overused and completely ineffective in reforming criminals.
I loved learning about how Yusef turned to Islam to help him through his years of wrongful imprisonment, and how he continues to lean on God in life. He has a lot of great counsel and insights, and I think this book could be an inspiration for young black men.
But I don't believe Yusef has fully mastered the message of his title: "Better, Not Bitter." So much anger and bitterness comes through the book. He may have overcome any caustic resentment over his personal tribulations (and I applaud him for that), but he continues to nurture vitriol toward the world at large. The view of America as built on the backs of slaves is a legitimate one, but it does not encompass all of what this country has been and is. The persistent racism of today continues to be a problem, but it is not the only characteristic of our society. I feel like Salaam and those who think like him will not be happy until every white American rips out their hair and throws themselves down in abasement, taking on the sins of their fathers and every person of their race who has ever lived. They will not feel justified until all wealth has been redistributed, and not satisfied until there isn't a single white person with a better life than they live. The effects of slavery go far through the generations, but so do the effects of the positive things our ancestors have done. We cannot possibly unravel all of that and make it so every person only has the good and bad that they themselves have earned. I guess Salaam's book makes me feel hopeless, that no matter how hard I try to to see his view and be a positive force for racial justice, he will still hate me just because I am white and have had opportunities in my life.
Anyway, it's a well-written and powerful memoir, but I was not the intended audience. 3.75 stars rounded up to a 4.
I loved learning about how Yusef turned to Islam to help him through his years of wrongful imprisonment, and how he continues to lean on God in life. He has a lot of great counsel and insights, and I think this book could be an inspiration for young black men.
But I don't believe Yusef has fully mastered the message of his title: "Better, Not Bitter." So much anger and bitterness comes through the book. He may have overcome any caustic resentment over his personal tribulations (and I applaud him for that), but he continues to nurture vitriol toward the world at large. The view of America as built on the backs of slaves is a legitimate one, but it does not encompass all of what this country has been and is. The persistent racism of today continues to be a problem, but it is not the only characteristic of our society. I feel like Salaam and those who think like him will not be happy until every white American rips out their hair and throws themselves down in abasement, taking on the sins of their fathers and every person of their race who has ever lived. They will not feel justified until all wealth has been redistributed, and not satisfied until there isn't a single white person with a better life than they live. The effects of slavery go far through the generations, but so do the effects of the positive things our ancestors have done. We cannot possibly unravel all of that and make it so every person only has the good and bad that they themselves have earned. I guess Salaam's book makes me feel hopeless, that no matter how hard I try to to see his view and be a positive force for racial justice, he will still hate me just because I am white and have had opportunities in my life.
Anyway, it's a well-written and powerful memoir, but I was not the intended audience. 3.75 stars rounded up to a 4.
June 4, 2022
Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five shares his experiences with healing from being incarcerated as a teenager for a crime he didn't commit and how he managed to get through that experience with the help of Islam, friends and family, and his internal world. He uses a lot of the same language as many motivational speakers, but since he has been through something so life-altering and includes fighting against injustice it's a lot easier to swallow than those people who talk about the law of attraction and all that.
The book rambles a little bit, as it's not told chronologically, so sometimes it felt a little repetitive. I didn't know much about this case except that a bunch of teenagers were falsely accused of raping and beating a woman in Central Park and were later exonerated, but I was still able to follow the book even without a lot of knowledge about the case and the trial. Reading this has made me look forward to watching "When They See Us," which I've heard a lot of good things about but still haven't watched.
At times, like all motivational speakers, Salaam comes off a bit preachy, not for his religious stance, which is refreshing because it represents Islam in a very positive light, but because his attitude is that if he could get through this using these methods, anyone can. I think it's good to share his methods, but as he acknowledges himself, he had a lot going for him before he was arrested, and not everyone is so lucky. I'm glad he is using his experience to help others and fight the system, but I don't think we can blame anyone for not having such a positive outlook as his when they're in this kind of situation.
This book was disheartening because of the situation of mass incarceration and racism, and all the injustices that come with it, but also inspirational because this person was able to get through such a rough and unjust situation and use this to push for a different world. He is also not afraid to talk about prison abolition and defunding the police. I have a lot of respect for him and the other Exonerated Five and I'm glad they are able to share their stories with the world.
The book rambles a little bit, as it's not told chronologically, so sometimes it felt a little repetitive. I didn't know much about this case except that a bunch of teenagers were falsely accused of raping and beating a woman in Central Park and were later exonerated, but I was still able to follow the book even without a lot of knowledge about the case and the trial. Reading this has made me look forward to watching "When They See Us," which I've heard a lot of good things about but still haven't watched.
At times, like all motivational speakers, Salaam comes off a bit preachy, not for his religious stance, which is refreshing because it represents Islam in a very positive light, but because his attitude is that if he could get through this using these methods, anyone can. I think it's good to share his methods, but as he acknowledges himself, he had a lot going for him before he was arrested, and not everyone is so lucky. I'm glad he is using his experience to help others and fight the system, but I don't think we can blame anyone for not having such a positive outlook as his when they're in this kind of situation.
This book was disheartening because of the situation of mass incarceration and racism, and all the injustices that come with it, but also inspirational because this person was able to get through such a rough and unjust situation and use this to push for a different world. He is also not afraid to talk about prison abolition and defunding the police. I have a lot of respect for him and the other Exonerated Five and I'm glad they are able to share their stories with the world.
May 24, 2021
The set of blazing emotions provoked by Yusef Salaam's memoir, BETTER, NOT BITTER, includes strong doses of disgust, shame, anger --- and inspiration. In 1989, five teenagers, all Black or Hispanic, were convicted in the notorious case of a young white female jogger who had been raped, beaten, tortured and left for dead in Central Park. Salaam was one of those teenagers.
His life until that fateful April day had been relatively carefree and productive. His mother, who had converted to Islam shortly after her marriage, was an extraordinary person, a woman of admirable character who demonstrated her huge love for her three children in every imaginable way. She was protective, affectionate, smart, strong-willed, hardworking and conscientious. And she carefully taught them all the rules and behaviors they would need to protect themselves --- and survive --- on the menacing Harlem streets. Salaam absorbed all that guidance and inherited much of her strength, self-discipline, intelligence, belief in the power of his God, Allah, and in his own determination to overcome every conceivable obstacle no matter how cruel. All those positive traits would be desperately needed and tested in the months and years to come.
The case against the Central Park Five was woefully weak from the start. The boys were forced into confessions, but each was blatantly contradicted by the others, a sure sign that they were made up out of whole cloth, primarily to avoid beatings and torture at the hands of the police. But due to the fear that had infected New York City in the '80s, law enforcement needed culprits. So the guilty verdicts in the trials were foregone conclusions. And instantly, the entire country willingly and often gleefully accepted those results. The kids were labelled beasts, monsters and wild animals, and in full-page newspaper ads, Donald Trump demanded their executions. All were sentenced to years-long prison terms.
The American justice system had been tested and failed miserably. It was then and remains today a sad example of the cruel systemic racism that plagues this country just as it has since its inception. It's a system whose main goal is to maintain the over-arching beliefs and behaviors of white supremacists, the behaviors they need in order to hold onto their power: Black people and all people of color must accept the fact that they are invisible; that they always have been and always will be inferior; that they are not worthy of "our" justice; that prison is their near-inevitable destiny; that prisons are and should be the cotton fields of the 20th and 21st centuries; and that white supremacy reflects the natural and correct order of things.
Salaam, we learn from his memoir, managed to survive the conditions of his imprisonment only through several fortunate factors: his incredible combination of fortitude and stubborn sense of self-worth, his innate intelligence, and his unusual and outstanding leadership abilities. He became an imam in both the juvenile and adult prisons to which he was assigned, a leader and teacher of the Muslim inmates who, in turn, fiercely protected him from the physical dangers that all prisoners fear and face every minute of every day.
In 1997, Salaam emerged from his imprisonment severely wounded spiritually and emotionally. But with the love of his family and the good people who surrounded him, he survived and eventually prospered. In 2002, the man who had actually committed the crime confessed. Ten years later, Ken Burns directed a jarring documentary film about this tragic event. Later, Ava DuVernay wrote and produced a powerful dramatization of the plight of the Central Park Five, a series called "When They See Us." And today, Salaam is an internationally recognized inspirational speaker.
New York City eventually awarded a $41 million settlement to the Exonerated Five. And perhaps the greatest miracle of all is the fact that Yusef Salaam himself can sincerely proclaim --- to all of us --- that he is Better, Not Bitter.
Reviewed by Jack Kramer
His life until that fateful April day had been relatively carefree and productive. His mother, who had converted to Islam shortly after her marriage, was an extraordinary person, a woman of admirable character who demonstrated her huge love for her three children in every imaginable way. She was protective, affectionate, smart, strong-willed, hardworking and conscientious. And she carefully taught them all the rules and behaviors they would need to protect themselves --- and survive --- on the menacing Harlem streets. Salaam absorbed all that guidance and inherited much of her strength, self-discipline, intelligence, belief in the power of his God, Allah, and in his own determination to overcome every conceivable obstacle no matter how cruel. All those positive traits would be desperately needed and tested in the months and years to come.
The case against the Central Park Five was woefully weak from the start. The boys were forced into confessions, but each was blatantly contradicted by the others, a sure sign that they were made up out of whole cloth, primarily to avoid beatings and torture at the hands of the police. But due to the fear that had infected New York City in the '80s, law enforcement needed culprits. So the guilty verdicts in the trials were foregone conclusions. And instantly, the entire country willingly and often gleefully accepted those results. The kids were labelled beasts, monsters and wild animals, and in full-page newspaper ads, Donald Trump demanded their executions. All were sentenced to years-long prison terms.
The American justice system had been tested and failed miserably. It was then and remains today a sad example of the cruel systemic racism that plagues this country just as it has since its inception. It's a system whose main goal is to maintain the over-arching beliefs and behaviors of white supremacists, the behaviors they need in order to hold onto their power: Black people and all people of color must accept the fact that they are invisible; that they always have been and always will be inferior; that they are not worthy of "our" justice; that prison is their near-inevitable destiny; that prisons are and should be the cotton fields of the 20th and 21st centuries; and that white supremacy reflects the natural and correct order of things.
Salaam, we learn from his memoir, managed to survive the conditions of his imprisonment only through several fortunate factors: his incredible combination of fortitude and stubborn sense of self-worth, his innate intelligence, and his unusual and outstanding leadership abilities. He became an imam in both the juvenile and adult prisons to which he was assigned, a leader and teacher of the Muslim inmates who, in turn, fiercely protected him from the physical dangers that all prisoners fear and face every minute of every day.
In 1997, Salaam emerged from his imprisonment severely wounded spiritually and emotionally. But with the love of his family and the good people who surrounded him, he survived and eventually prospered. In 2002, the man who had actually committed the crime confessed. Ten years later, Ken Burns directed a jarring documentary film about this tragic event. Later, Ava DuVernay wrote and produced a powerful dramatization of the plight of the Central Park Five, a series called "When They See Us." And today, Salaam is an internationally recognized inspirational speaker.
New York City eventually awarded a $41 million settlement to the Exonerated Five. And perhaps the greatest miracle of all is the fact that Yusef Salaam himself can sincerely proclaim --- to all of us --- that he is Better, Not Bitter.
Reviewed by Jack Kramer
August 17, 2022
"As my mother always says, “Nobody leaves here alive.” The wealthiest place on earth has never been Africa, where there is gold and diamonds; or the Middle East, where there’s oil. The richest place on earth is the graveyard. It’s the place where everyone’s unfulfilled hopes, dreams, and aspirations have been laid to rest. My challenge to you is this: No matter what life has taken you through, try to live full and die empty."
-
PAUSE. Before you pick this up, I strongly urge that you watch the Netflix series When They See US. It features the story of the five teens—Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise—that were tried and convicted in The Central Park Jogger crime case, also known as one of the most infamous cases in history.
I knew from the moment the credits rolled I would become emotionally invested in these five men, especially Yusem Salaam. I listened to a podcast on Double Take by Yaqeen Insitute when he was sharing his experience when he was serving time and how it elevated him as a servant of God. What surprised me was how positive he was despite what he went through. If any ordinary person spoke the way he did, it might come off as oblivious or even pretentious. So how can a man like him be more optimistic than the rest of us who have tasted freedom our whole entire lives?
It is without a doubt he has a talent for words. The book was captivating and almost unbelievable. It felt like something out of a film. He is so inspiring with the amount of tawakkul he has, it’s incredibly admirable. In the book, he also dabbles on the industrial prison complex and explains how it's a way to avoid the problems of poverty, wealth gaps, and health disparities. But most of all, this book was an ode to the people that have helped him find himself amongst all the chaos. A definite must-read.
-
PAUSE. Before you pick this up, I strongly urge that you watch the Netflix series When They See US. It features the story of the five teens—Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise—that were tried and convicted in The Central Park Jogger crime case, also known as one of the most infamous cases in history.
I knew from the moment the credits rolled I would become emotionally invested in these five men, especially Yusem Salaam. I listened to a podcast on Double Take by Yaqeen Insitute when he was sharing his experience when he was serving time and how it elevated him as a servant of God. What surprised me was how positive he was despite what he went through. If any ordinary person spoke the way he did, it might come off as oblivious or even pretentious. So how can a man like him be more optimistic than the rest of us who have tasted freedom our whole entire lives?
It is without a doubt he has a talent for words. The book was captivating and almost unbelievable. It felt like something out of a film. He is so inspiring with the amount of tawakkul he has, it’s incredibly admirable. In the book, he also dabbles on the industrial prison complex and explains how it's a way to avoid the problems of poverty, wealth gaps, and health disparities. But most of all, this book was an ode to the people that have helped him find himself amongst all the chaos. A definite must-read.
November 26, 2021
This was a really great book. I will say I expected more of the facts about the Central Park Five and found I needed to Google the details, including the events around the exoneration. This is the back story, the learning and growing that took place during and after such an unjust event. There was a lot of discussion around racial injustice that I found very interesting. It angered me to read about the injustices that have been going on for so long in America. One thing that struck me is the line that read instead of cotton fields, jails have taken the place of where to put black people “in their place.” That is not right. As much as we have come along, it is clear we still have a long way to go to make racial equality a reality in this country. Though I resonated with everything, I’m still not exactly sure how I can personally help contribute to fighting and promoting social equality after reading this book. I am still on the journey to figure it out.
A few lines from the book that stuck out to me:
- My life is more than the sum of the worst things that happened to me
- Everything that happens to you is happening for you. Everything shapes and creates us and prepares us for life later on - the highest of highs or the lowest of lows
- Fear is nothing more than false evidence appearing as reality
- We grow more courageous the more often you face fear
- We hesitate before something that feels significant. Sometimes it’s fear of the unknown. Sometimes it’s doubt. If we could learn to not doubt ourselves, we could achieve so much more than we do
- Giving your story air and not holding your breath gives you back the power to control the narrative
- Take the anger or whatever feeling you are feeling and make it into something purposeful. Leaning into those feelings and not pushing them down releases hard feelings. Pushing them down allows them to take root as bitterness, and stay as lemons instead of sweet lemonade.
A few lines from the book that stuck out to me:
- My life is more than the sum of the worst things that happened to me
- Everything that happens to you is happening for you. Everything shapes and creates us and prepares us for life later on - the highest of highs or the lowest of lows
- Fear is nothing more than false evidence appearing as reality
- We grow more courageous the more often you face fear
- We hesitate before something that feels significant. Sometimes it’s fear of the unknown. Sometimes it’s doubt. If we could learn to not doubt ourselves, we could achieve so much more than we do
- Giving your story air and not holding your breath gives you back the power to control the narrative
- Take the anger or whatever feeling you are feeling and make it into something purposeful. Leaning into those feelings and not pushing them down releases hard feelings. Pushing them down allows them to take root as bitterness, and stay as lemons instead of sweet lemonade.
June 18, 2021
Although it’s loosely structured and somewhat repetitious, I enjoyed this self-help book. Usually I’m annoyed by books telling readers how to live their lives because I’m often considerably older than the writers and have already successfully lived most of my life. However, I appreciated learning how Salaam overcame a tremendous racist injustice without becoming bitter. I admit that I’m bitter about some of the injustices that I endured and occasionally suffer from PTSD when I’m facing a different racist attack. Helping him fight the bitterness that being falsely accused of committing a despicable crime, being demonized in the media by racist jerks like our future electoral college President, and being locked up for seven years was his religious (Islam) belief that what happened to him was ordained and that he had an important role to play in life. He also had some great support from his mother, his aunt, and other family members as well as the Muslims in prison, and a (Hunter) college professor. I especially appreciated the portrait of his mother because she was saying in the eighties what I’ve been saying during the last few years: “I’m from the Jim Crow South.” Of course, his mother was from Alabama, which was much more hard-core racist than the border state (and I lived right on the border) Kentucky. It’s too bad that she had to draw on her experience with Southern bigots from the Jim Crow era to deal with the New York ones during the anti-affirmative action Reagan years.
August 7, 2022
Yusef powerfully narrates his journey in the “ modern day cotton field called prison“ . With beautiful Islamic reflections and an incredible mindset, Yusef shows how he becomes better and not bitter despite the severe injustices he faces. He talks of the importance of being mentally free and protecting your mind and your heart.
He shows the power of mindset , self determination and knowing yourself , how it is important to not let others define you , and the power of poetry , art , and other forms of self expression.
This book taught me the importance of names and to love my name. This book taught perseverance and to make the most of every situation and every place , to write you own narrative and to be an alchemist . This book will always remain in my mind - in understanding the American system , in fighting against a negative mind , and in finding purpose and knowing that the ultimate purpose is to worship Allah.
A beautiful and authentic book.
Quotes I liked :
“ I knew even at such an early age that if I was not careful to protect my mind and heart I could become attached to the process of getting my nourishment from my system that didn’t care about me at all” (13)
“I found it viral to have some way of documenting my experience it could be journaling, drawing, doodling or any other creative expression” (110)
He shows the power of mindset , self determination and knowing yourself , how it is important to not let others define you , and the power of poetry , art , and other forms of self expression.
This book taught me the importance of names and to love my name. This book taught perseverance and to make the most of every situation and every place , to write you own narrative and to be an alchemist . This book will always remain in my mind - in understanding the American system , in fighting against a negative mind , and in finding purpose and knowing that the ultimate purpose is to worship Allah.
A beautiful and authentic book.
Quotes I liked :
“ I knew even at such an early age that if I was not careful to protect my mind and heart I could become attached to the process of getting my nourishment from my system that didn’t care about me at all” (13)
“I found it viral to have some way of documenting my experience it could be journaling, drawing, doodling or any other creative expression” (110)
June 19, 2021
This has been the most powerful, insightful book I've read in a very long time.
I pre-ordered this book because the Central Park Five story influenced a very pivotal year in my teaching career. It was the nonfiction aspect of my Monster (Walter Dean Myers) unit, the first unit I ever designed solo. I couldn't wait to see what Yusef had to tell the world.
I'll admit that I hesitated at the first chapter. He is a very dedicated man to his faith, and as a "not quite atheist, but far from spiritual" individual, I worried that his story would simply be a PSA to lean on God to get you through. But this book is so much more than that. He moves through so many ways of thinking, and really lays out how his experience taught him so much despite it being a traumatic and devastating injustice. He has a unique way of being extremely relatable, no matter your faith, experience, or background.
I appreciated how he brought in so many other books and people to outline his thoughts. His voice is calm and welcoming on the pages. In many ways, this book felt refreshing and almost healing.
This book will be one I reread and suggest to anyone who will listen. I believe everyone can get something from this book.
I pre-ordered this book because the Central Park Five story influenced a very pivotal year in my teaching career. It was the nonfiction aspect of my Monster (Walter Dean Myers) unit, the first unit I ever designed solo. I couldn't wait to see what Yusef had to tell the world.
I'll admit that I hesitated at the first chapter. He is a very dedicated man to his faith, and as a "not quite atheist, but far from spiritual" individual, I worried that his story would simply be a PSA to lean on God to get you through. But this book is so much more than that. He moves through so many ways of thinking, and really lays out how his experience taught him so much despite it being a traumatic and devastating injustice. He has a unique way of being extremely relatable, no matter your faith, experience, or background.
I appreciated how he brought in so many other books and people to outline his thoughts. His voice is calm and welcoming on the pages. In many ways, this book felt refreshing and almost healing.
This book will be one I reread and suggest to anyone who will listen. I believe everyone can get something from this book.
August 19, 2021
This is the inspiring memoir from one of the exonerated five (aka the Central Park five). If you aren’t familiar with the case, five black and Hispanic teenagers were falsely and wrongly accused of raping a white woman in the 90s.
Dr. Salaam is an amazing writer and poet. His words are inspiring and his strength is admirable. It was really interesting to hear more about his story before the arrest and what he has been up to after exoneration.
I also appreciated the fact that he discussed a lot of current racial injustice issues. I am not a religious person, but it was very interesting to hear his story about how his faith impacted his life and purpose. Although I will say that this was a frequent theme throughout the book so this might not be for everyone. I also thought the organization was a little confusing jumping back and forth in time, but it didn’t take away too much from the writing.
I highly recommend the Netflix series When They See Us which covers this case, Dr. Salaam said the series did an amazing job portraying the group.
My two favorite quotes are:
-“Talking to her felt like a welcome rain shower on parched and dry grass. “
-“They screamed about our guilt and whispered about our innocence.”
Dr. Salaam is an amazing writer and poet. His words are inspiring and his strength is admirable. It was really interesting to hear more about his story before the arrest and what he has been up to after exoneration.
I also appreciated the fact that he discussed a lot of current racial injustice issues. I am not a religious person, but it was very interesting to hear his story about how his faith impacted his life and purpose. Although I will say that this was a frequent theme throughout the book so this might not be for everyone. I also thought the organization was a little confusing jumping back and forth in time, but it didn’t take away too much from the writing.
I highly recommend the Netflix series When They See Us which covers this case, Dr. Salaam said the series did an amazing job portraying the group.
My two favorite quotes are:
-“Talking to her felt like a welcome rain shower on parched and dry grass. “
-“They screamed about our guilt and whispered about our innocence.”
March 27, 2022
Yusef Salaam delivers a sermon on the injustice of the American view of black men, in particular. As one of "The Exonerated Five"--he was 15 when accused and arrested for the rape and assault of the Central Park Jogger, as she was then known--he ultimately served about seven years in prison for a crime with which he had zero connection. Salaam steers clear of serving up nitty gritty details of what were no doubt his most horrific moments in prison. Instead, he focuses on explaining how he kept his head up, how he overcame the internal "death" the prison system could have imposed on him, and which caring people made the difference for him. One can't help but be relieved and thankful that Salaam and his "brothers" made it out and ultimately were proven to be innocent--the case against them was completely concocted, and the real rapist was finally discovered. Towards the very end of the book, Salaam writes this: "But ultimately what I want to say is, if you remain a person of great character and integrity and continue to grow and develop yourself, then no one can truly define you. God, the universe, whatever you believe in, will conspire to get you to your purpose." I am moved and thankful that Salaam has found his purpose. I am also determined to soon watch the Netflix series about him and the entire case, "When They See Us," that Ava DuVernay produced in 2019.
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