There is much to learn from her political development, and from the making of Assata into a revolutionary.īorn in Queens, NY, Assata Shakur was raised by her school teacher mother, her grandparents, and her aunt Evelyn A. Just as she was not born Assata, Shakur was not born a revolutionary. Assata means ‘She who struggles,’ Olugbala means ‘Love for the people,’ and i took the name Shakur out of respect for Zayd and Zayd’s family. ‘I wanted a name that had something to do with struggle’īorn JoAnne Byron, and married as JoAnne Chesimard, Assata Shakur changed her name in order to fully identify with the revolutionary struggles of her African heritage, and to honor her comrade Zayd Malik Shakur, who was murdered by state forces in 1971. Account after account from Assata’s comrades and fellow revolutionaries describe Assata as a light, a positive spirit who remained disciplined and committed to the struggle despite incredible hardships. When I think of political prisoners, and when I think of those who have relentlessly committed themselves to Black Liberation, I always think of Assata Shakur.įrom Assata’s story, we are able to learn what it means to be motivated by a deep love for the people and the struggle for freedom-and what it means to embody a determined and unbreakable spirit in the face of crackdowns and government repression designed to stifle and destroy the movement. And we recommit ourselves to the struggle for Black Liberation and for the freedom of all political prisoners. We uplift the revolutionary history of the Black working class and its fundamental position in forging and leading the struggle for liberation for all.
In commemorating Black August, we commemorate the struggle of those who have fought before us and faced violent repercussions from the state.
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