Assata An Autobiography
Assata An Autobiography by Assata Shakur, published by Zed Books in 2001, is a first edition that spans 274 pages. This autobiography details the life of Shakur, a member of the Black Panther Party, who faced significant challenges and injustices, including a near-fatal encounter with law enforcement in 1973. The narrative explores her experiences with activism and the systemic efforts to undermine Black nationalist movements, providing insight into her life and the broader socio-political context of her time.
Readers will find a candid account that challenges the prevailing narratives surrounding Shakur, as she reflects on her journey and the dynamics within revolutionary groups. The book addresses themes of political struggle, social activism, and the impact of systemic oppression on African American communities. Through her personal story, Shakur contributes to the discourse on race, identity, and resistance in America, making this work a significant addition to the fields of biography and political science.
Official synopsis Publisher
On May 2, 1973, Black Panther Assata Shakur (aka JoAnne Chesimard) lay in a hospital, close to death, handcuffed to her bed, while local, state, and federal police attempted to question her about the shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that had claimed the life of a white state trooper. Long a target of J. Edgar Hoover’s campaign to defame, infiltrate, and criminalize Black nationalist organizations and their leaders, Shakur was incarcerated for four years prior to her conviction on flimsy evidence in 1977 as an accomplice to murder.
This intensely personal and political autobiography belies the fearsome image of JoAnne Chesimard long projected by the media and the state. With wit and candor, Assata Shakur recounts the experiences that led her to a life of activism and portrays the strengths, weaknesses, and eventual demise of Black and White revolutionary groups at the hand of government officials. The result is a signal contribution to the literature about growing up Black in America that has already taken its place alongside The Autobiography of Malcolm Xand the works of Maya Angelou.
Two years after her conviction, Assata Shakur escaped from prison. She was given political asylum by Cuba, where she now resides.
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