When They Call You a Terrorist

When They Call You a Terrorist is a memoir by Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors, written with asha bandele. The book chronicles Khan-Cullors' experiences growing up in Van Nuys, California during the 1990s and early 2000s. The narrative follows her path from childhood through her development as an activist and organizer. Her family's encounters with law enforcement, the prison system, and mental health services shape her understanding of systemic inequalities. The memoir tracks the formation of Black Lives Matter in 2013, documenting the movement's early days and rapid growth into an international force. Khan-Cullors details the work of organizing, the toll of activism, and the impact of being labeled "terrorists" for advocating for Black lives. Through personal stories and political awakening, the book examines how racism and economic inequality affect families and communities across generations. The work serves as both testimony and call to action, connecting individual experiences to broader social movements.

Readers describe this memoir as raw and personal, offering insight into Khan-Cullors' experiences that led to co-founding Black Lives Matter. Many appreciate her vulnerability in sharing family struggles and her journey as an activist. Liked: - Clear connections between personal experiences and larger systemic issues - Strong storytelling that humanizes the movement's origins - Detailed accounts of community organizing tactics - Education about prison system impacts on families Disliked: - Some found the timeline jumps confusing - Readers wanting more BLM organizational history felt disappointed - Conservative readers questioned her political perspectives - Several noted repetitive sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.39/5 (22,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (2,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Makes you understand why BLM exists beyond news headlines" Critical reader note: "More memoir than movement history - adjust expectations accordingly"

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🔍 The book began as a Facebook post by Khan-Cullors in 2013, expressing her heartbreak after George Zimmerman was acquitted in Trayvon Martin's death. This post, containing the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, helped launch a global movement. ✍️ Co-author Patrisse Khan-Cullors identifies as a queer activist and artist, and she weaves these personal identities throughout the memoir while exploring how they intersect with her work in social justice. 🏆 The memoir reached #1 on the Los Angeles Times bestseller list and earned widespread critical acclaim, including a nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work. 🤝 The Black Lives Matter movement, which is central to the book's narrative, was founded by three Black women: Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi. 📚 Khan-Cullors wrote much of the book while staying at the home of author James Baldwin in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, where she was invited as part of a fellowship program.