A very heartfelt story of politics, community, and family. ( )

A refreshing, if sometimes self-idealized, memoir from a politician not currently in office. Yes, Sellers is more on the progressive end of the spectrum, but he also appears sincerely interested in the plight of his home. The best portion of the book deals with the Orangeburg Massacre on the grounds of South Carolina State College - two years before Kent State, but overlooked in history. While Sellers' works a little too hard to tie himself into the event, the description of his father's place in the violence is poignant. Better than a lot of political memoirs out there.

4 1/2 bones!!!!! ( )

I'd probably give it 4 stars but I'm a cynic. But, I hold hope he stays true to his principles. ( )

From Back Cover, " Bakari Sellers is a CNN Political Analyst and was the youngest-ever member of the South Carolina state legislature. Named in Time's Magazine's 'Forty Under 40' list, he is also a practicing attorney fighting to give a voice to the voiceless.

I listened to this with my 21 year-old son, a political wonk since he started canvassing with mommy when he was about 2 and for the past two years a passionate worker against voter suppression in Georgia. The short book, about 5 hours on audio, was a great companion on the drive back to school (his final term in college!) Sellers' story is inspirational, he began serving in the SC statehouse at 22, the youngest member in history and is now a thoughtful commentator. Sellers is admirably honest about difficult subjects (his father's imprisonment that grew out of activism, his anxiety, the pain of having a child with serious health issues, etc.) and a good storyteller. I do think the parallels with our lives made it more special. My son grew up knowing quite a few Morehouse men, and the portion of the book about Sellers' Morehouse experience really resonated. Perhaps even more important we listened less than two weeks after seeing Raphael Warnock (one of my son's idols since the first time he preached in our temple when he was 5) elected to the Senate and the day after we attended our Temple's (Zoom) MLK Shabbat and heard Pastor Sen. Warnock deliver an extraordinary sermon. He always moves us. (Ebenezer Baptist is our sister congregation and it was Pastor Warnock's guidance and wisdom our family sought on the day after the mass murder at Mother Emanuel, an event also covered in the book.) But even without those things this is a really good read, especially for young people with a passion for public service. ( )

Bakari Sellers grew up in Denmark, a small town outside of Orangeburg, South Carolina. His father is Cleveland Sellers, a contemporary of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Stokely Carmichael, who was _targeted by the authorities during and after the Orangeburg Massacre and who struggled to find employment because of the record he had as a result, until he received a full pardon 25 years later. Bakari Sellers grew up around Civil Rights leaders but also around people who were struggling to get by in Denmark. This is his memoir in which he describes how Denmark has slowly lost it's vibrancy as the local hospital is closed and the infrastructure crumbles.

This is very much a memoir written by a politician with an eye to winning elections. There's more than a hint of hagiography in Sellers's account of his own life and experiences. But when his focus turns from himself, the memoir comes to life, and the best chapter by far is his account of the Orangeburg Massacre and his father's story. This is also a deep dive into politics specific to South Carolina and to Black culture in The Palmetto State, which may be of limited interest to people less interested in local politics or the history of South Carolina. ( )

I enjoyed learning more about Bakari Sellers. This is a smart young man with a good heart. I know he will accomplish a lot in his life. What I did not like was the foul language he used. I don't understand why young people today think it is ok to use ugly language. The English language is so full of excellent words to describe any situation and emotion, I completely understand his frustration with America today regarding racism and cast, but he would make a better role model for young folks if he can relay his feelings and emotions without using foul language. That being said, I do thank you Bakari for your story and for enlightening me on the Orangeburg Massacre. I am ashamed to say that I don't remember ever hearing about it. Shocking. ( )