Assata: An Autobiography | 
#BlackHistoryMonth Recommendations Day 25
Nonfiction
When I picked up this biography all I knew was that Assata was Tupac's aunt. I was not prepared for this book to throw everything I thought I knew about the Black Panthers into a revelation that what was told to me was all false and racist. Assata takes us through the tremulous 70s what the police did to her and the smear campaign that J Edgar Hoover waged on her.
Completely changed my views
pickSometimes I‘m amazed by the things I don‘t know. I know so much about the Black Panthers and the various black liberation groups from the ‘70‘s. How did I not know about this woman? How did I not know about the protests about her treatment after her arrest and the number of charges/trials she was ultimately acquitted of. Her escape from prison to flee to Cuba? The treatment by the govt. is a history lesson that should not be forgotten.
“The schools we go to are a reflection of the society that created them. Nobody is going to teach you your true history, teach you your true heroes, if they know that that knowledge will help set you free.” - Assata Happy Black History Month ✊🏾
So many thanks to Margot for sharing this book with me. I am always interested in autobiographical material of those involved in the struggles of the 1960‘s. Margot, thank you for your kindness. I‘m really excited to get started on this.
“You died.
I cried.
And kept on getting up.
A little slower.
And a lot more deadly.”
I learned so much I didn‘t expect to meet in this book. I‘ll never get over what I‘ve learnt about America in this book.
I wasn‘t exactly sure how closely based on true stories they were looking for with today‘s #3books so I chose 1) Assata- the incredible autobiography of Assata Shakur, 2) The Paris Wife- a historical fiction account of the life of Ernest Hemingway‘s first wife and their life together in Paris before *spoiler* he leaves her for her best friend and 3) Monday‘s Not Coming which is entirely fictional but loosely based on a very sad, real life case.
pickIt's Assata Shakur's birthday today. A good day to finish her autobiography!
A powerful account of her awakening as a revolutionary, her involvement with the Black Panthers, and the targeted mistreatment she received from the US justice system before escaping to Cuba. What she says about racism in the US still stands. A clear, insightful, passionate voice. I can see why this text remains so influential.
#BLM
Started this autobiography today about Black activist Assata Shakur.
In other news, It's 100 degrees here today. 🥵
pickRequired reading whether you‘re with the liberation movement or not, but especially if you are. She gives such insight on what it really is like to fight the state. Which we all have to do. And insight as to why the Panthers “dispersed.” And so much more. I hope she‘s blessed and safe and relaxed in Cuba rn or wherever she is.
I‘m so moved. How are you making positive change today? If you can‘t go out & do something, where are you pushing funds?
pickWow, just wow. To say I was ignorant on so many topics is an understatement. This book brought up emotions, questions, understandings, and taught me so much about the educational system. A system I loved/respected and never ever questioned. Not only an excellent and powerful read but also a book that I learned from. I highly recommend!
I couldn‘t be more excited to dive into this book. My partner pushes me to learn more about subjects I wouldn‘t get into. I value his opinion and interests because he is self-educated on the topics that speak to him. He has wanted me to read this book for a long time, bought it for me (which he always buys me books when we see each other 🤗) and I can‘t wait to have an open discussion about it. ❤️
so-soAs an autobiography, great read. If you‘re trying to learn more info about the Black Panther Party and/or the Black Liberation Army, or even more info on her involvement in them, not the right book—it just glosses over this information and focuses more on her childhood/young adult years and her years in prison. #audiobook
Assata Shakur is Welcome Here
I‘ve been taking a class on mass incarceration narratives and I‘ve learned a lot this semester! I‘m delving into this narrative in preparation for a project.
#currentread
"Dreams and reality are opposites. Action synthesizes them."
"One little girl broke up the whole kourtroom when she asked out loud, "Is that the fascist pig, Mommy?" pointing up at the judge." ?⚰
"Only a fool lets somebody else tell him who his enemy is."
pick💬 “Black women have had to develop a larger vision of our society than perhaps any other group [...] When black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.” - Angela Davis. ✨Check out this list of past & present revolutionary Black women authors on our blog: @strandbookstore/revolutionary-black-women-authors-7814c0b4bc60" rel="nofollow" target="_top">https://medium.com/@strandbookstore/revolutionary-black-women-authors-7814c0b4bc...
I haven‘t ordered books in a few months. So I decided to order a few over the Christmas break. Each one had been on my list for a few months. I took advantage of some really great markdowns on Amazon to get almost every book for under 5$! So all other I think I spent around 21$ for four books. Not bad. #books #amazon #thiftbooks #reader #reading
I am awestruck by her bravery and infuriated by the rampant racism and white supremacy throughout all aspects of American life.
pick5⭐️This is one of those books where I want to pass out a copy to everyone I know and not speak to them again until they've finished! If you've been wanting to learn more about social justice, civil rights, black history, but didn't know where to begin, start here! Assata's story is RIVETING. Never dry or preachy. MUST READ!
Riveting from the very start! So glad @TheNextBook encouraged me to stop waiting for my library and get my own copy. Narrator is enjoyable.
pickAssata's story is incredibly powerful. I enjoyed this book. I thought she did a really great job shedding light on her experiences and her side of the story. Choose to believe her or not this was a really well written book and I found what she had to say worth reading.
Another book off my "must reads" list. Another book I higky recommend.
I'll be finishing this book today and needless to say I am really glad I'm reading it. It really sucks though to read books where the events took place decades ago and the struggle that existed then still exists now...
"Slavery is legal in prisons."
It's funny because I never realized that the 13th ammendment stated that until this last year or so. Slavery was never really outlawed in this country. Let that sink in.
Oh Assata. I'm sorry to say that this still holds true...
I am beginning Assata today as I continue to complete my "must read" list. Readinng Angela Davis's Freedom is a Constant Struggle is what pushed me to grab this today. I want to hear what Assata has to say about her life.
This has been on my list forever. And today I bought it. Because I want to know her story. She is more than just a villain painted a certain way by people that dont understand or benefit from the criminal justic system and the systematic racism in society. Take my coins Assata. I am tired. So damn tired. #philandocastille I am exhausted.
This autobiography is incredibly moving. I love how there's a poem at the end of every chapter, relevant to the story, but also hopeful, with one eye on the future. #poetry #blackauthors
I cannot even begin to imagine what this feels like. And to just have to tolerate it! Makes my blood boil. #blackauthors #blackhistory
Friday evening ft. Assata Shakur & some lovely Japanese whiskey. #blackauthors #blackhistoryreads #autobiography
Starting on this amazing #memoir. Goosebumps everywhere. #blackhistory #blackauthors
Now for some speed dating of some books I brought home from the library and now I'm not sure I want to read!
#photobookchallenge day 20 - currently reading
This is such a fantastic autobiography that I'm reading for uni - and well. 'A wall is just a wall' is a ridiculously timely message right now.
#blackhistorymonth #womenwriters #nonfiction #autobiography #overit
First purchases of the year! Assata is mine and the other is my friends!
We went to Mayday Books in Minneapolis, very old school.
#assatashakur #williamdavies #thehappinessindustry
Almost all the non-fiction I read in 2016 was top notch. These are the stand outs.
"It was plain to me that we couldn't look to the kourts for freedom and justice anymore than we could expect to gain our liberation by participating in the u. s. political system, and it was pure fantasy to think we could gain them by begging."
The only difference between here and the streets is that one is maximum security and the other is minimum security. The police patrol our communities just like the guards patrol here. I don't have the faintest idea how it feels to be free.
