Assata Shakur: A Complex Legacy
The U.S. government branded her as one of the world’s most-wanted terrorists, while Assata Shakur identified herself as a 20th-century escaped slave. The narrative of being a runaway slave became a potent metaphor of empowerment for her, as she connected her struggles to the historical legacy of Black freedom fighters like Nat Turner and Harriet Tubman, who took their liberation into their own hands. Shakur gained recognition in hip-hop and was integrated into academic discussions, with her image prominent in educational settings within Black communities across the nation.
Obscured Truths
However, the mythology surrounding Assata Shakur often masks more complex realities. Like many in the struggle for freedom, she achieved her liberation at a significant personal cost: being unable to raise her only child, never returning home to mourn her mother, and missing the chance to witness her grandchildren’s lives or to have a burial of her own.
Early Life and Influences
Born JoAnne Deborah Byron in 1947 in Queens, Shakur spent her early years split between her mother’s home and her grandparents’ in Wilmington, North Carolina. She changed her name in 1971, rejecting what she considered a slave name. Her upbringing in the segregated South inspired a deep sense of pride in her Black identity, as detailed in her 1987 autobiography, “Assata.” She was taught to hold her head high and to demand respect from those unwilling to offer it.
Radicalization and Activism
Shakur’s coming-of-age during the civil rights movement, alongside witnessing police brutality and systemic poverty, fueled her radicalization. She joined the Black Panther Party amid its violent suppression by the F.B.I.’s COINTELPRO program, which targeted Black leaders and organizations. This environment led her to advocate for a covert, armed revolution as necessary for genuine change.
Legal Troubles and Imprisonment
Later, she became a member of the Black Liberation Army, a guerrilla movement associated with various criminal activities. By the early 1970s, Shakur had faced ten indictments, of which only one led to a conviction. In 1977, an all-white jury convicted her of murdering a New Jersey state trooper during a shootout, a claim she vehemently denied, asserting she had her hands in the air during the confrontation.
A Daring Escape
While awaiting trial, Shakur was also tried for bank robbery alongside Kamau Sadiki. During their detention, she fell in love and became pregnant. After giving birth to her daughter Kakuya, Shakur made the choice to pursue freedom, ultimately plotting a successful escape in 1979. Kakuya, initially yearning for her mother’s presence, gradually accepted the possibility of her mother’s death after years of no communication.
The Costs of Liberation
After reaching Cuba, where she lived as a political fugitive, Shakur tried to reconnect with Kakuya, who was hesitant due to past abandonment fears. As time passed, Kakuya struggled with feelings of anger and hope regarding their relationship. Despite Shakur’s efforts to express love and discuss their shared fight for liberation, both were left grappling with the heavy burden of their choices. The escalation of government efforts against Shakur led to a bounty on her head, forcing her deeper into hiding and severing her connection with Kakuya, a separation that remains a haunting memory for them both.
