Introduction
"When They Call You a Terrorist" is a powerful memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement. In this deeply personal and moving book, Khan-Cullors shares her experiences growing up as a Black woman in America and the events that led her to become an activist. Through her story, she sheds light on the systemic racism and injustice that continue to plague Black communities in the United States.
The book takes readers on a journey through Khan-Cullors' life, from her childhood in a poor neighborhood in Los Angeles to her role as a leading voice in the fight for racial justice. Along the way, she reveals the harsh realities of growing up Black in America, including poverty, police harassment, and the criminalization of Black people. Her story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, offering a raw and honest look at the struggles faced by Black Americans and the resilience of those who fight for change.
Growing Up in Poverty
Khan-Cullors' childhood was marked by poverty and hardship. As one of four children raised by a single mother, she experienced firsthand the challenges of growing up in a low-income household. Her mother worked tirelessly, often holding down multiple jobs for up to 16 hours a day, yet still struggled to make ends meet.
The author vividly describes the difficulties her family faced:
- Food insecurity was a constant concern. For long periods, they subsisted on cereal, sometimes without milk because their broken refrigerator wasn't replaced by their negligent landlord.
- Their neighborhood lacked access to healthy food options. The only grocery store was a 7-Eleven, with fast food restaurants and liquor stores being the primary alternatives.
- Living conditions were poor, with basic necessities often unavailable or in disrepair.
These experiences shaped Khan-Cullors' understanding of systemic inequality from a young age. She saw how poverty affected not just her family, but entire communities, creating cycles of hardship that were difficult to break.
The Constant Presence of Law Enforcement
One of the most significant aspects of Khan-Cullors' childhood was the omnipresence of law enforcement in her community. Unlike in many white neighborhoods, where police are seen as protectors, in her Black community, they were a source of fear and oppression.
The author recounts several disturbing incidents:
- At just nine years old, she witnessed her 12-year-old brother and his friends being forcibly searched by police officers for simply talking in an alleyway near their home.
- Her teenage brothers were regularly arrested, leading her mother to move the family in an attempt to shield them from police attention.
- Despite these efforts, harassment by law enforcement continued, leaving her mother feeling helpless to protect her children.
These experiences taught Khan-Cullors from an early age that the relationship between Black communities and law enforcement was fundamentally different from what many Americans believed it to be. Instead of protection and service, she saw control and intimidation.
Educational Disparities and Discrimination
As Khan-Cullors grew older, she became acutely aware of the stark differences in educational opportunities available to Black children compared to their white counterparts. The American education system, she learned, was far from equal.
Some of the disparities she observed include:
- Black girls are six times more likely to be suspended from school than white girls, with 12% of African American girls facing suspension at least once during their education.
- Schools in Black neighborhoods had a much heavier police presence, resembling prisons more than places of learning. Metal detectors and police dogs were common sights.
- Disciplinary actions were far harsher for Black students. Khan-Cullors herself was arrested at age 12 for smoking marijuana in a school bathroom, while white students at her previous school faced no consequences for similar actions.
- Even minor infractions by Black students could lead to severe punishments. The author cites an example of a 12-year-old girl from Detroit who nearly faced expulsion and criminal charges for writing "Hi" on her locker.
These experiences highlighted the systemic racism embedded in the education system, where Black children are treated as potential criminals rather than students deserving of nurture and support.
Society's Role in Individual Struggles
Khan-Cullors challenges the notion that poverty and addiction are solely the result of individual failings. Instead, she argues that societal factors play a significant role in shaping people's lives and opportunities.
She illustrates this point through two personal examples:
Her stepfather, Alton, who left the family after losing his job at a General Motors plant. The author argues that economic forces, not personal weakness, were responsible for his departure. The shame and pressure of being unable to provide for his family after losing a well-paying job with benefits led to his decision to leave.
Her biological father, a drug addict who frequently attended 12-step recovery programs. Khan-Cullors questions why society and these programs place the entire burden of addiction on individuals without examining the societal factors that contribute to substance abuse, such as lack of resources for youth development in disadvantaged communities.
These experiences led the author to recognize that many of society's problems, including poverty and addiction, are not simply the result of personal failings but are deeply rooted in systemic issues that need to be addressed.
The Impact of Mass Incarceration
One of the most profound influences on Khan-Cullors' life and activism was the American criminal justice system's impact on her family. The United States, despite having only 5% of the world's population, houses 25% of its prison population, a fact that became painfully personal for the author.
By the time she was 16, both her older brother and father were incarcerated:
Her father, Gabriel, a non-violent drug addict, was repeatedly jailed instead of receiving help for his addiction. In one instance, he was forced to risk his life fighting wildfires to reduce his sentence, highlighting the exploitative nature of the prison system.
Her brother Monte, who suffered from schizoaffective disorder, was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted robbery (trying to crawl through a house's front window). His mental health deteriorated significantly in prison, where he was kept in solitary confinement and denied medication.
These experiences opened Khan-Cullors' eyes to the broader issues within the American justice system:
- The criminalization of mental illness and addiction, with prisons housing more mentally ill individuals than psychiatric institutions.
- The use of solitary confinement, which exacerbates mental health issues.
- The prioritization of punishment over rehabilitation and treatment.
The author's personal encounters with the justice system revealed how it disproportionately affects Black Americans and those with mental health issues, often exacerbating problems rather than solving them.
Defining Moments and the Birth of Black Lives Matter
Two pivotal events in Khan-Cullors' life led to her becoming an activist and co-founding the Black Lives Matter movement:
Fighting for her brother Monte's freedom: When Monte faced potential life imprisonment under California's "three strikes" law for shouting at a white woman during a mental health episode, Khan-Cullors took action. She raised $10,000 for a defense lawyer and successfully reduced his sentence, realizing her power to challenge injustice.
The killing of Trayvon Martin: In 2013, the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin sparked outrage. This event was the catalyst for Khan-Cullors and other Black activists to create the Black Lives Matter movement, aimed at combating systemic racism in America.
These experiences transformed Khan-Cullors from a witness to injustice into an active participant in the fight against it. The Black Lives Matter movement became a platform to address the broader issues of racial violence and discrimination that she had observed throughout her life.
The Goals and Principles of Black Lives Matter
The Black Lives Matter movement, co-founded by Khan-Cullors, emerged as a response to the systemic racism and police violence against Black people in America. The movement's primary goals include:
Ending police violence against Black people: The author cites disturbing statistics, such as Black people being five times more likely than white people to be killed by California police, and a person being killed by police in California every 72 hours on average, with 63% of victims being Black or Latino.
Raising awareness about unjust killings: The movement uses social media to share stories of Black individuals killed by police, such as John Crawford (shot in Walmart for holding a toy gun) and Eric Garner (killed for selling cigarettes on the street).
Promoting inclusivity: A key principle of the movement is the inclusion and leadership of non-gender-conforming activists, particularly Black transgender individuals who face disproportionate levels of violence.
Khan-Cullors emphasizes that Black Lives Matter is not just about protecting certain segments of the Black community, but about fighting for justice and equality for all Black Americans, regardless of gender identity or expression.
The Ongoing Struggle for Racial Justice
Throughout the book, Khan-Cullors makes it clear that the fight for racial justice in America is far from over. The Black Lives Matter movement has brought increased attention to issues of police brutality and systemic racism, but significant challenges remain:
- Continued incidents of police violence against Black individuals
- Persistent educational and economic disparities
- Overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system
- Ongoing discrimination in various aspects of society
The author stresses the importance of continued activism and engagement to address these issues. She argues that real change requires not just awareness, but sustained effort to dismantle the systems and structures that perpetuate racial inequality.
The Power of Community and Resilience
Despite the many challenges and injustices described in the book, Khan-Cullors' story is also one of hope and resilience. She highlights the strength found in community and the power of collective action:
- The support she received from family and friends in times of need
- The coming together of activists to form the Black Lives Matter movement
- The growing awareness and support for racial justice issues among diverse groups of people
Khan-Cullors' journey from a child growing up in poverty to a leading voice in the fight for racial equality demonstrates the potential for individuals to make a difference, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Conclusion
"When They Call You a Terrorist" is a powerful testament to the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. Through her personal experiences and observations, Patrisse Khan-Cullors provides a compelling look at the systemic racism that continues to affect Black communities across the country.
The book serves as both a wake-up call and a call to action. It challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about inequality and injustice in American society, while also inspiring hope for change. Khan-Cullors' story demonstrates the power of perseverance, community, and activism in the face of oppression.
Key takeaways from the book include:
The pervasive nature of systemic racism in America, affecting everything from education and economic opportunities to interactions with law enforcement.
The disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on Black communities, including the criminalization of mental illness and addiction.
The importance of examining societal factors that contribute to individual struggles, rather than simply blaming personal failings.
The power of grassroots movements like Black Lives Matter in raising awareness and pushing for change.
The need for inclusivity in the fight for racial justice, ensuring that all voices within the Black community are heard and represented.
The ongoing nature of the struggle for equality, requiring sustained effort and engagement from individuals and communities.
Khan-Cullors' memoir is not just a personal story, but a reflection of the experiences of many Black Americans. It challenges readers to examine their own beliefs and biases, and to consider their role in perpetuating or dismantling systems of oppression.
Ultimately, "When They Call You a Terrorist" is a call for empathy, understanding, and action. It asks us to recognize the humanity in all people, to stand up against injustice, and to work towards a more equitable society. The book reminds us that the fight for racial justice is not just a Black issue, but a human rights issue that affects us all.
As we reflect on Khan-Cullors' experiences and the broader issues she raises, we are challenged to consider our own roles in creating change. Whether through activism, education, or simply being more aware and empathetic in our daily lives, each of us has the power to contribute to a more just and equitable world.
The journey towards true racial equality in America is far from over, but books like "When They Call You a Terrorist" play a crucial role in keeping the conversation alive and inspiring new generations of activists and allies. By sharing her story, Patrisse Khan-Cullors not only gives voice to her own experiences but also to the countless others who have faced similar struggles. In doing so, she reminds us of the power of storytelling in driving social change and the importance of listening to and amplifying marginalized voices.
As we move forward, the lessons and insights from this memoir serve as both a guide and a challenge. They urge us to question the status quo, to stand up against injustice, and to work tirelessly towards a future where all lives truly matter. The Black Lives Matter movement, born out of pain and frustration, continues to be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change. It reminds us that progress is possible, but only through sustained effort, solidarity, and a commitment to justice for all.