I Am Maroon

"Armed struggle is never undertaken lightly." ~ pg. 94

Russell Melvin Shoatz II was a gang member in Philly starting at age 11. At 23 years old, his life changed after hearing Malcolm X speak. He became a soldier in the most militant unit of the Black Liberation Army and a community organizer. Shoatz was convicted to life in prison following a coordinated attack on the Philadelphia Fairmount Park Guard Station.

But if the government—under its watchful eye of the Black Panthers and Black militant groups—thought it could keep Shoatz caged, then they fucked around and found out. He escaped state prisons twice, making him a living legend. Hence the nickname "Maroon," once used to honor runaway slaves. He meticulously planned, succeeded and never gave up the fight for freedom. He was a prisoner for 47+ years, spending 22 of those years in the Hole (solitary confinement) which prompted an international campaign for his freedom.

I won't spoil this true story. You just have to read it yourself when you're in the right mind space. It will take you on an emotional ride while reading. I felt sympathy, empathy, anger, vengeance and hope all within its 350 pages.

"They had branded our civil war a Civil Rights Movement, and there was nothing civil about it at all." ~ pg. 147

I Am Maroon reads like an action movie! I was all in, hanging on the edge of my reading chair or sitting up in bed, holding my breath. This was especially true during the retelling of his escapes or planning. In one particular section, I felt like I was standing right next to him in the cold contemplating the next best step literally. If Shoatz's words were this profound, imagine how intense and captivating his conversations were. The thought brings chills.

Bookhearts, I recommend this memoir! It is not your ordinary story of a Black Panther as I assumed upon downloading the advance copy. It is the true uncensored story of a political prisoner, the system and survival of the mind. Shoatz's story of justice and redemption is worth reading.

Happy Early Pub Day to Russell Shoatz! I Am Maroon will be available Tuesday, September 3.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: I Am Maroon: The True Story of an American Political Prisoner
Author: Russell Shoatz
Published: September 2024
Pages: 350
Edition: Galley
Genre: Memoir 
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤