When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors & Asha Bandele Summary

1. How Black women led a movement from personal pain to global change
2. Why dismantling systemic racism starts with ending mass incarceration
3. What defines a terrorist in America’s racial justice movements
4. How trauma shapes activism in marginalized communities
5. Community care vs. state violence in addressing racial trauma
6. Why black families bear hidden costs of police brutality
7. How BLM redefined protest as radical love in action
8. The link between crack epidemic policies and modern disposability
9. Why allyship demands confronting inherited biases about criminality
10. How survival tactics become revolutionary political strategies
11. Parenting under oppression as an act of resistance
12. When self-care becomes community preservation for activists

About the Author of When They Call You a Terrorist

Patrisse Khan-Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, and award-winning author Asha Bandele are the voices behind the New York Times bestselling memoir When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir.

A potent blend of personal narrative and social critique, the book explores themes of systemic racism, activism, and resilience, rooted in Khan-Cullors’ lived experiences growing up in Los Angeles and her transformative role in founding a global justice movement. Bandele, known for her work at Essence and the Drug Policy Alliance, brings her expertise in storytelling around racial and social inequities, exemplified in her acclaimed memoir The Prisoner’s Wife.

Khan-Cullors’ follow-up, An Abolitionist’s Handbook: 12 Steps to Change Yourself and the World, expands on her visionary frameworks for activism. The memoir received widespread acclaim, debuting on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list and earning a spot as a TIME “Best Memoir of 2018.” Translated into multiple languages, it features a foreword by Angela Davis and has been embraced as a foundational text in social justice education.

FAQs About When They Call You a Terrorist

What is When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors about?

When They Call You a Terrorist is a memoir by Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele. It explores systemic racism, police brutality, and mass incarceration through Khan-Cullors' upbringing in Los Angeles, her family’s struggles with mental illness and addiction, and the events that led to launching the #BlackLivesMatter movement. The book blends personal trauma with activism, advocating for dignity in marginalized communities.

Who should read When They Call You a Terrorist?

This book is essential for readers interested in social justice, anti-racism, or LGBTQ+ advocacy. Educators, policymakers, and activists will gain insights into systemic oppression, while those seeking firsthand accounts of grassroots organizing will appreciate its raw narrative. It’s also recommended for anyone exploring memoirs about resilience and intersectional activism.

Is When They Call You a Terrorist worth reading?

Yes. The memoir received praise for its emotional depth and unflinching critique of racial injustice. Amazon, Entertainment Weekly, and Vogue highlighted it as a standout release, while Michelle Alexander called it a “must-read.” Its blend of personal storytelling and political analysis offers a compelling look at modern activism.

What role does Patrisse Khan-Cullors’ brother Monte play in the memoir?

Monte’s experiences with schizoaffective disorder and incarceration underscore the criminalization of mental illness. His brutal treatment in LA County jails—detailed through neglect and systemic abuse—motivates Khan-Cullors to co-found Dignity and Power Now, an organization advocating for prison reform and civilian oversight of law enforcement.

How does When They Call You a Terrorist critique the War on Drugs?

The book condemns the War on Drugs as a tool for erasing Black and Brown communities. Khan-Cullors contrasts her father’s addiction and incarceration with his humanity, arguing that punitive policies disproportionately target minorities while ignoring root causes like poverty and trauma.

What quotes from When They Call You a Terrorist are most impactful?

Key quotes include:

• “We didn’t create a movement. We created a network of healing.”
• “In America, we incarcerate pain and trauma, rather than treat it.”

These lines reflect the book’s themes of collective care and systemic failure, emphasizing restorative justice over punishment.

How does the memoir address LGBTQ+ identity?

Khan-Cullors discusses coming out as queer at 16 and integrates LGBTQ+ rights into her activism. She frames Black Lives Matter as inherently intersectional, prioritizing voices of Black queer and transgender individuals often excluded from mainstream movements.

What criticisms exist about When They Call You a Terrorist?

Some reviewers note repetitive passages and underdeveloped details about Black Lives Matter’s organizational growth. Kirkus Reviews called it a “jeremiad” limited by its focus on marginalized perspectives, though acknowledged its cultural significance.

How does When They Call You a Terrorist relate to current social issues?

The book remains relevant to discussions on police reform, mental health advocacy, and anti-racism. Its critiques of mass incarceration and racialized violence align with ongoing debates about systemic inequality and abolitionist movements.

What organizations did Patrisse Khan-Cullors found besides Black Lives Matter?

Khan-Cullors co-founded Dignity and Power Now (2012) to combat sheriff violence in LA County jails. She also launched the Coalition to End Sheriff Violence, tying grassroots advocacy to broader prison abolition goals.

How does the memoir describe the origins of the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag?

Khan-Cullors created the hashtag in 2013 after George Zimmerman’s acquittal for killing Trayvon Martin. It evolved from a social media campaign to a global movement demanding accountability for state violence against Black communities.

What makes When They Call You a Terrorist unique among activist memoirs?

Unlike traditional memoirs, it prioritizes collective struggle over individual triumph. By framing her story within systemic oppression, Khan-Cullors challenges readers to view activism as a lifeline for marginalized people, not just a political act.