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Assata Theme Statement

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THESIS Similar to many of the other selections we have read, to be Black in America is an enormous struggle. Through slavery, oppression, discrimination, and more; history has proven that this country was not built upon making individuals of African ancestry comfortable here. With the personal recollections of numerous horror stories of oppression, Assata Shakur goes on to explain how truly oppressed the Black individuals of America are. SUMMARY In this book, Assata Olugbala Shakur, born JoAnne Deborah Byron details in the form of an autobiography many unfortunate series of events in her life in America as a black woman. Assata Shakur fluctuates between the present in the past to explain just how horrid oppression in this country has been …show more content…

Throughout the entire book it is obvious that Assata, under any circumstances, will allow herself to become white America’s doormat. From childhood she is taught to stand up for herself and demand respect and she carries that with her throughout the rest of her life. She always pushes boundaries in the name of her beliefs of liberation. Assata is a revolutionary person and she is extremely resilient. Assata wanted nothing but for her people to be able to live the same comfortable lives as white America without any oppression, discrimination, racism, and stipulations as a citizen. Even in near death, Assata fights for her life in order to prevent white America from defeating her. While in the hospital, in prison, and during her many trials she was physically forced into doing certain things she did not want to do but she never went down without a fight. In addition, during one prison stay, Assata is very nice and compassionate to a woman who is considered abnormal and they turn into close friends. While no one else would give this lady the time of day, Assata takes the woman under her wings and becomes very loving towards her. What makes a great revolutionary leader is someone who is selfless, strong, resilient, and willing to go through all measures to ensure the well being of their people. Assata exudes all of these characteristics. Through oppression, racism, beatings, death threats, and more, Assata never gave up. She not only never stopped fighting for her own innocence, rights, and liberation but she also fought for a greater purpose which is the liberation of her people. This will to stand strong and fight is why Assata Olugbala Shakur is now a free woman and this is way she is one of the greatest Black freedom revolutionaries of our country’s

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