Sanyika Shakur

Sanyika Shakur (born Kody Scott in 1963), [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=jJBpmJiCjcMC&dq=%22sanyika+shakur%22&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=sk90gCSqm2&sig=2IW9z-AgGe6CwxEgvL1GSN-kIJw#PPA386,M1 Google books] ] a.k.a. Monster, is a former member of the Los Angeles gang the 83 Gangster Crips. [ [http://www.streetgangs.com/bibliography/monsterkody.html Monster: Autobiography of an LA Gang Member] ] He got his nickname as a 13-year-old gang member when he beat and stomped a robbery victim into a coma. [ [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/15/local/me-monster15 Throwing the book at 'Monster'] , "Los Angeles Times"] Shakur reformed in prison, joined the Republic of New Afrika movement, and wrote an acclaimed autobiography called "" which was first published in 1993.

"" describes how Shakur was drawn into gang life, his experiences as a gangster both on the street and in prisons, and eventually his transformation into a black nationalist.

Shakur spent 28 months at San Quentin State Prison and four years at Pelican Bay State Prison, most of which was spent in solitary confinement, where he furthered his Muslim beliefs. [ [http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~kastor/fallprogram/fall-shakur.html Transcript of Sanyika's taped message] ]

In March 2007, Shakur, already sought by police for parole violations and named on the city's most-wanted gang members list, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department for allegedly breaking into the home of an acquaintance and beating him in order to steal his car. The charges represent a possible third strike that could send Shakur back to prison for life. [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7793148 Gang Member Turned Author Arrested in L.A.] ]

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