Pimp: The Story of My Life

How do Slim’s experiences reflect the Systemic Racism in the 20th Century, and how does his position as a Black man in this era affect the trajectory of his life, as well as the attitude he maintains toward his work?

Why does Slim’s final stint in prison change his outlook? What are the underlying reasons behind this shift in his mentality?

How does the concept of being “icy” relate to the modern concept of toxic masculinity? How might this tendency to shut off one’s emotions and “act cool” influence a person’s likelihood of abusing and exploiting others?

How does Slim’s relationship with his mother factor into his relationship with the women who work for him?

Why does The Cycle of Sexual Violence and Exploitation become so difficult to escape, both for pimps and sex workers? How does the cycle begin to feed itself?

What is The Relationship Between Crime and Trauma, and how does this relationship unfold in Slim’s life? What other examples in the book demonstrate how trauma can create unchecked, misplaced anger?

What are the biases within Slim’s narrative? How do these biases affect his reliability as a narrator? How does Slim’s skewed perception of himself influence the way he describes both his own actions and the women who work for him?

Why is the pursuit of money so central to Slim’s life? How does money act as a symbol of true freedom and elevated status in a world that is designed to oppress Black people?