I had given up on myself, my parents, and my brothers and sisters—but I would be damned if I’d give up on my children. I was determined to fight against the side of me that didn’t think I could be anything more than a thuggish criminal or a predator to my community. I knew I was in for the fight of my life, but I was prepared for the battle. No matter how many times I got knocked to the ground, I would get up over and over again, until I could stand strong as a proud African man and father.
