I remember as a young woman reading this book. At that time I was very interested in anything dealing with a black power movement and pro-blackness and I am still. If it meant black power, sounded like black power, I devoured it. Malcolm X was my hero (still)The Black Panthers were beautiful and strong warriors. I read everything I could get my hands on. Somehow I became interested in her story, this story so I read it. Really, I don't remember much about the book. This post is more about her than the book itself. I do admire her for standing up for what she believed was right to help a cause. That she did for sure. She was definitely a "ride or die chick". My question is, is she a hero or a criminal?
She is admired by many,especially in the hip hop community. There are songs by artists such as Common "A Song For Assata". Public Enemy and X - Clan have recorded songs also. Let me not forget to tell you she is TUPAC SHAKUR'S aunt and godmother. His step-father is her brother.
There is a an offer of 1 million dollars from the FBI to anyone who helps with her capture. That is alot of bread for one sista. A letter was written to the Pope in 1997 by the NJ State Police to raise the issue of her being extradited back to the US, in his talks with Fidel Castro. In 1998 the then Governor of NJ Christine Todd Whitman asked Janet Reno, who at the time was the Attorney General to do whatever it takes to get Assata back to the States to complete her life sentence. As you can see they want her bad. Here in America she is labeled a "domestic terrorist". She now lives in Cuba,and has been since 1984 with political asylum.
From 1971 to 1973 she is accused of bank robberies, murders, kidnapping, attempted murders on police officers and assaults. Never was she convicted of any these crimes. Maybe you've heard of the New Jersey Turnpike shootings? In May 1973 she was involved in a shootout with some members of The Black Liberation Army and NJ state troopers on the NJ Turnpike.Killed were a State Trooper, one of her companions, Assata was severely wounded, another Trooper was injured also. A passenger who was also in the car with Assata escaped. He was later captured. I do remember that she writes about her being taken into custody after being shot on the turnpike in her autobiography.
She was convicted in 1977 of 2 murder charges, 6 assault charges. She received a sentence of 26 to 33 years to run consecutively with her life sentence for a murder that was proven she could not have committed because of her injuries. You can imagine this was the trial of the century in New Jersey.
She was held in several prisons in New York, New Jersey, and West Virginia. Subjected to vaginal,anal searches, not having good medical attention, or exercise, being watched all the time, and being placed under solitary cofinement for almost 2 years.It was at Clinton Correctional Facility For Women in New Jersey in 1979 that she escaped with the help of 3 members of the Black Liberation Army.Her brother Mutulu Shakur (Tupac's step-father) was among them. For years she avoided capture. I'm sure they tried everything in their power to find her. I wonder if they harassed her family and friends,you know they most likely wiretapped their phones, even followed them around. I remember hearing the FBI searched a Harlem apartment building with machine guns, shotguns drawn knocking down doors looking for her. Was she there? She avoided capture for 5 years, and then she arrived in Cuba.
There are so many things about this woman that fascinates me still to this day. She has written books and essays. Books and essays have been written about her. I wish I could share with you guys all that I have read about her, about her trial. Hopefully, you will seek more information about this interesting woman. She needs to be discussed. I am glad to know she believed in something but I'm not sure how I may feel about her methods of achieving her goals in the name of "black liberation". That's why I asked is she a hero or a criminal? I think a little of both. Now you know I'm sending you to a site you need to check out. Go to AssataShakur.Org for more information.
'TIL I POST AGAIN...BE GOOD BABIES!!!
2 comments :
Word is out among DC insiders that a genuine good faith offer will be presented to Shakur after the presidential elections. The details are not clear but it appears if she is willing to cooperate, evidence that everyone already knows was tampered with at trial will be thrown out and she will be granted a new trial. If she stays off the witness seat this time, an acquittal is assured. In fact I've heard that if Btha Obama gets in, he will appoint Eric Holder as AG and she will be granted a pardon. But going that route will take much more time.
The word "cooperate" does not mean ratting others out, it just means letting the bigger picture of Cuba/US relations follow a course of reduced tension, meaning she just stay relatively quiet until she is officially exonerated. The DOJ is under pressure to get the Shakur problem closed. The US needs the oil that is near Cuba and cannot allow old thorns to fester. And that's just one of many issues.
Other things like US companies being blocked from doing business in Cuba are coming to a boil. The US tourism business will skyrocket once Cuba is opened up.
It doesn't matter who gets into the White House, the pressure is the same. There are numerous other issues, too many to list here. But they are coming together to finally free Stsa Shakur.
This could be a very good deal for Assata. She gets to return to the US NOT in handcuffs and live a normal live, including before trial. As it stands right now, some nut might be about to grab her, who knows. I understand the NJ cops are insanely against the feds dropping the reward, so it will remain for now.
But her primary problem is the fact that her fate is inexorably tied to the whims of the Cuban government, in particular the life of a man that is not in good health, Fidel. a complication is his brother does not really care much for Assata and is likely to dump her once Fidel is gone. I know she has reassurances to the contrary but frankly speaking the Cubans want to move on ,make money and make old issues disappear where ever possible. It's better that she take charge of her fate and get things reversed.
My company is involved with both US and Cuban commerce and we've learned to filter out the BS from fact. From what I see, Shakur will finally be back among old friends soon. I look forward to seeing her be able to publish new books done the right way.
Brother D
Brother D,, you were right about Eric Holder becoming the top lawman. I pray your right and he puts an end to this injustice suffered upon Sista Shakur. Ebony Girl Speaks post will soon be answered to show she has always been a hero.
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