Analysis Of An Open Letter By Assata Shakur

“No movement can survive unless it is constantly growing and changing with the times. If it isn’t growing, it’s stagnant, and without the support of the people, no movement for liberation can exist, no matter how correct its analysis of the situation is” is what Assata Shakur spoke. Assata is more of a woman despite the government’s bounty for her, she demonstrates a strong, powerful and complete woman who takes on the leadership role before and after the Black Panther Party. Her beliefs is what makes her who she is today. As Joy James states in her article “Assata Shakur is not only unique because she has survived in exile as a political figure…” When joining in the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense Assata publically advocated for armed

Assata Shakur represents a woman who is complete. She demonstrates a woman of integrity, a woman who is a leader and does not follow. Joy James makes a great point; “Shakur is singular because she is a recognizable female’s revolutionary, one bound to a make persona (p.138).” James also added “Along with Harriet Tubman, Shakur would become one of the black female figures in the United States recognized as a leader in an organization that publicly advocated armed self-defense against racist violence (p.139).” Assata is a complete woman. In her autobiography, Assata recalls making tape of an essay that she wrote titled “To My People”. In the essay she explains her role in the black revolutionary struggle. That essay ends with the wonderful words “it is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” That statement alone shows how much courage Assata has as a woman, how strong minded and strong willed she

She has argued for the young people’s right to live free from repression. She believe it is the people’s duty to fight. Since 1984, Assata has been living as a political person in exile in the revolutionary Caribbean- Island of Cuba. She sought shelter there after living underground in the U.S. where she escaped from maximum security prison in New Jersey. A generation of young black Americans fought bravely in the shadow of the Black Panther Party and the other revolutionary organizations of those times and faced an enormous hardship and the violence of the United States police and secrete services. Assata stands tall today as she did 20 years ago. She is still an example of today’s generation of women. Assata is committed to the education and the liberation of black people, which made (still does) her a threat to the government. Like many