Instead We Became Evil : A Palestinian Refugee's True Story of Survival and Perseverance

A powerful story of struggle, survival, and hope for the future is told by one of Denmark's most successful artists. The violent , compelling debut , co-written with journalist Dart Adams , provides a complex portrait of one man and the various ways in which every social system that was supposed to help him failed him, while also delving into the psychology of immigrant gangs and the young men who fall into them. But ultimately, it's a narrative about tenacity , survival , and optimism for the future. Sleiman was born in Lebanon during the 1982 bombardment and is a Palestinian . His family eventually moved to Denmark , but their new life there was far from perfect. Sleiman was subjected to domestic violence as well as social rejection as a Muslim immigrant. Angry and powerless, he found himself drawn to gang life . Sleiman had dropped out of school and was one of his gang's most feared and revered members as a teenager. He was involved in hundreds of crimes during his peak, but after surviving an attempted assassination , he addressed his demons and permanently abandoned the gang life . Sleiman is now narrating his story in his own words in the hopes of discouraging others from following in his footsteps. For fans of'The Hundred Years War on Palestine','I Shall Not Hate'and'Mornings in Jenin,'as well as'The Autobiography of Gucci Mane,'comes a gripping memoir exploring the Palestinian refugee experience and the transformative role of music.A Palestinian refugee born during the relentless bombings of Lebanon in 1982, Sleiman chronicles his poignant journey from refugee to celebrated musician in Denmark in his memoir. Sleiman's family sought refuge in Denmark, where he grappled with the challenges of displacement and cultural assimilation. Against the backdrop of gang culture and social upheaval, Sleiman discovers solace and expression through music, ultimately using his artistry to navigate the complexities of his Palestinian identity and heritage.Despite being one of his gang's most feared and revered members as a teenager, Sleiman's brush with death prompts a transformative shift, leading him to permanently abandon the gang life and embark on a path of redemption. With evocative prose and heartfelt storytelling, Sleiman shares his journey of resilience, offering a powerful glimpse into the indomitable spirit of the Palestinian people.