Public Service Announcement: Penny the bunny does not approve of gang membership. She does endorse this memoir though.
If you’re knowledgeable about the Blood and Crip gangs, you might have heard about Monster Kody Scott. I’m assuming you haven’t, that you’re like me and am new to gang knowledge. In fact, amongst all the books I have ever read, this might be the only one about gangs. But if there’s only going to be one, this is certainly a great choice.
Kody Scott became a Crip at thirteen years old, committing horrendous crimes that earned him the nickname Monster. Eventually he was arrested and imprisoned. Interestingly, he claims he was innocent of the charges, having been murdering someone else during the time the crime took place. While in prison he converted to Islam and swore off violence. Once released Kody struggles to lead a different life, and eventually decides to write down the story of his time in a gang and in prison.
I first had to read Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member for an anthropology class in college. I was enthralled by how honestly Kody speaks of his experiences, and what an in-depth view he gives of life in his neighborhood and in prison.
Over fifteen years after writing Monster, Kody pled guilty to stealing a car. He is currently back in prison. Though his current predicament is sad, I don’t think it negates the truth of his book, or his message.
Seeking another Memoir,
Megan
