Albert Woodfox

Albert Woodfox was born on February 19, 1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His early life was marked by a combination of pride and rebelliousness. Because of his family’s poverty, he began shoplifting bread and canned goods for survival. He found this street life appealing, and he began to hustle and commit robberies for money. He is in and out of jail for the better part of his teenage years. While in jail, he meets members of the Black Panther Party; from this point, the Hero’s Journey may be applied to Woodfox’s memoir. The understanding of institutional racism embarks Woodfox on a journey of social justice, and he crosses the threshold of this journey when he takes the Black Panther Party oath and opens a chapter of the party in Angola prison.

Because of an ability to unite prisoners towards causes, such as more humane treatment...