When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors & Asha Bandele Summary

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.