Character Analysis
Shaka isn't able to be very involved in his daughter Lakeisha's life, because her mother doesn't really let him participate in raising her, even before he goes to prison. Lakeisha's only about five months old when Shaka is incarcerated. But this quote applies to her as well as to L'il Jay:
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 […] 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. (10.56)
As an adult, Lakeisha comes to celebrate Shaka's release, bringing her young son. Shaka says:
[…] it was amazing seeing her in person for the first time since she was a baby. She had grown into a beautiful woman, and I was looking forward to getting to know her and my grandson. (26.7)
It clearly means a lot to Shaka to see his daughter and grandson there…and we hope they've gotten to spend a lot of family time since then.