Hi, my name is Rodolfo Anderson. I’m a 58-year-old Black American male with Latin-Caribbean heritage, with a background in South Central street gang culture. I am currently incarcerated in California on a three-strikes conviction of 290 years to life for Robbery, Assault with a weapon, and Carjacking. I’ve served two prior prison terms for Robbery: a few months and 10 years, with my second return to custody 90 days after release. I have subtracted 26 years from my 290-year-to-life sentence.

As you get to know me, I will remain candid, uncensored, confident yet humble, and open to any and all inquiries. This is my commitment to you, my reader(s), individually and collectively, as we journey through my life’s growth process. In doing so, my desire is, at a minimum, to provide some people with an understanding of what drives others to do what they do, to help motivate those who find themselves in the same or similar situations I was once in or am currently in to avoid the mistakes I made, and to motivate you as an individual to capitalize on every moment in life, to find substance, cherish what you do have and can have, and to have the courage to do so.

I cannot undo the harm I caused to individuals or society. But I accept responsibility for my actions and understand their impact. I wrote this book to share my story, help others, and offer insight into urban culture and politics.