Assata: An Autobiography

On May 2, 1973, Black Panther Assata Shakur (also known as JoAnne Chesimard) lay in a hospital, handcuffed to her bed and close to death, 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. Shakur, who had long been a target of J. Edgar Hoover's campaign to defame, infiltrate, and criminalize Black nationalist organizations and their leaders, had been 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 X and the works of Maya Angelou.

Two years after her conviction, Assata Shakur escaped from prison and was given political asylum by Cuba, where she now resides. This autobiography provides a powerful and personal account of Shakur's journey from a young, idealistic activist to a fugitive on the run, highlighting the ongoing struggle for racial justice and the forces that sought to suppress it.

The narrative begins with Shakur's harrowing experience in the hospital, where she was under intense scrutiny and surveillance by law enforcement. This sets the stage for the broader story of her involvement in the Black Panther movement and the subsequent events that led to her incarceration and eventual escape.

Throughout the memoir, Shakur offers a candid and nuanced perspective on the complex dynamics within the Black and White revolutionary movements, revealing the internal tensions, ideological differences, and the ultimately devastating consequences of government interference. Her account sheds light on the systemic racism and repression that Black activists faced, even as they fought for their own liberation and the rights of their communities.

The autobiography's literary merit lies in Shakur's eloquent and evocative writing, which draws the reader into her world and imparts a deeper understanding of the personal and political challenges she confronted. By sharing her story, Assata Shakur has made a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue about race, justice, and the role of activism in addressing systemic oppression.

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