I didn’t learn about Assata Shakur in school. In fact, the extent of my Black History education in school consisted of learning about slavery, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King. Of course, these are all HUGE people and events in the story of African Americans… but there is also so much more to Black history. And SOOOOO many more people, like artists and inventors, politicians and revolutionaries. My senior year in high school, I read the Autobiography of Malcolm X and it changed my life. It’s one of those books that I couldn’t put down! (If you’re not big on reading, then check out the movie version.)
Recently, I finished reading Assata, which became another book high on my list of favorites. In honor of Black History Month at Brownstone, I would like to pay homage to this legendary woman.
Who is Assata Shakur? I’m glad you asked.
Well, to be brief, Assata (who changed her name from JoAnne Chesimard) was an activist and a revolutionary. She was a member of the Black Panther Party in the 70’s and was incarcerated and wrongly convicted for a crime she did not commit. The book actually starts with Assata being almost fatally wounded after being shot (multiple times) & dragged across the pavement by a New Jersey State Trooper.
Leading up to that, she had been regularly criminalized by the police as well as the media.
As you all probably know, racism was a lot more explosive and hostile in those days. Organizations like the Black Panther Party, the Nation of Islam, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the NAACP worked hard to fight for the fair treatment and opportunities of African Americans, who were OFTEN treated unfairly. Some of these groups were infiltrated by the Police, the FBI, and/or the CIA in order to destroy them through the Counter Intelligence Program, or, as it’s more commonly known, “COINTELPRO.”
Unfortunately, for some of these groups, their mission worked. Assata, and other members of the Black Panther Party, were manipulated, blackmailed, and some were even killed as a result of this program. Mostly because they fought to defend equal rights and take a stand against oppression.
Leading up to that, she had been regularly criminalized by the police as well as the media.As you all probably know, racism was a lot more explosive and hostile in those days. Organizations like the Black Panther Party, the Nation of Islam, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the NAACP worked hard to fight for the fair treatment and opportunities of African Americans, who were OFTEN treated unfairly. Some of these groups were infiltrated by the Police, the FBI, and/or the CIA in order to destroy them through the Counter Intelligence Program, or, as it’s more commonly known, “COINTELPRO.”
Unfortunately, for some of these groups, their mission worked. Assata, and other members of the Black Panther Party, were manipulated, blackmailed, and some were even killed as a result of this program. Mostly because they fought to defend equal rights and take a stand against oppression.
Can you imagine that happening today?
If you saw something happening around you that you felt was totally unfair, and you spoke up about it, can you imagine going to jail for it?
While in prison, Assata was regularly treated poorly by guards (sometimes was beat by them), judges (who tried to use the legal system against her), doctors (who wouldn’t give her adequate treatment during her recovery from being shot or while she was pregnant), and even members of the jury (who were all ready to vote that she was guilty before even listening to the trial.)
All this because she didn’t sit down and just accept racism. She, and the rest of the Black Panther Party, promoted Black pride. They had breakfast and recreational programs for the Black youth in their community, and protected members of their community from police brutality, that was prevalent in poor Black areas.
All this because she didn’t sit down and just accept racism. She, and the rest of the Black Panther Party, promoted Black pride. They had breakfast and recreational programs for the Black youth in their community, and protected members of their community from police brutality, that was prevalent in poor Black areas.
She endured a whole lot and lived to tell the story. After she was wrongly convicted, she escaped from prison and was given political asylum by Cuba, which means she can live freely there. She now resides in Havana, Cuba.
If there’s one thing to take away from Assata’s story is perseverance. This woman fought injustice in a time where the odds were stacked against her, and continued to fight for freedom when everything else around her seemed hopeless. Many of us haven’t had to face circumstances as tough as hers, but if she dealt with all that adversity and kept going, we should look to that as an example when we find it hard to keep going. Sometimes you have to really dig deep, find your inner strength, and keep fighting for whatever you’re fighting for. Keep going!
And check out the book when you get a chance.
And check out the book when you get a chance.
“I wasn't just a Colored girl. I was part of a whole world that wanted a better life. I'm part of a majority and not a minority. My life has been a life of growth. If you're not growing, you're not going to understand real love. If you're not reaching out to help others then you're shrinking. My life has been active. I'm not a spectator" - Assata
-- Chevonne Collins
Brownstone Team
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