10 things to know about Assata Shakur: From Black Panther icon to Tupac’s godmother in Cuban exile
What killed Assata Shakur? Black Liberation icon, FBI fugitive, and Tupac’s godmother who died in Cuba exile. Photo credit: Getty Images
Few names in modern American history stir as much debate as Assata Shakur. To some, she is a freedom fighter who risked everything in the struggle against racial injustice. To others, she is a convicted fugitive who escaped accountability. Born Joanne Chesimard, her journey from a New York upbringing to the ranks of the Black Panther Party, and ultimately to exile in Cuba, is the stuff of legend and controversy. Beyond politics and crime reports, Shakur’s influence reached into culture, literature, and even hip-hop — through her godson, Tupac Shakur. Here are 10 things to know about Assata Shakur that reveal why her story still resonates today.
1. Her Birth Name Was Joanne Chesimard
Assata Shakur was born Joanne Deborah Byron in 1947 in New York City. She later changed her name to Assata Olugbala Shakur, meaning “she who struggles” and “follower of the thankful,” reflecting her African heritage and revolutionary identity.
2. She Was a Member of the Black Panther Party
Shakur joined the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s, becoming involved in political education, community programs, and anti-racism campaigns during a turbulent era of U.S. civil rights activism.
3. She Later Joined the Black Liberation Army (BLA)
Disillusioned with the Panthers’ direction, Shakur became a key figure in the BLA, a militant organization that engaged in armed struggle against U.S. institutions, claiming to fight systemic oppression.
4. The 1973 New Jersey Turnpike Incident Defined Her Public Image
Shakur was convicted in the shooting death of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster after a traffic stop. She maintained her innocence, but the trial became one of the most high-profile cases of its time.
5. She Escaped Prison in 1979
After being sentenced to life in prison, Shakur escaped from Clinton Correctional Facility for Women in New Jersey in a daring breakout organized by fellow activists.
6. She Found Exile in Cuba
In 1984, Assata Shakur was granted political asylum in Cuba by Fidel Castro’s government, where she lived in exile for decades and remained a symbol of resistance to some, and a fugitive to others.
7. She Is the First Woman on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List
In 2013, the FBI placed Shakur on its “Most Wanted Terrorist” list, offering a $2 million reward for information leading to her capture.
8. She Is Tupac Shakur’s Godmother
Assata Shakur was godmother to legendary rapper Tupac Shakur. Her revolutionary ideas and writings influenced his music, especially his themes of Black empowerment and systemic resistance.
9. She Is an Author and Poet
Shakur published her autobiography, Assata: An Autobiography, in 1987, which remains a cornerstone of revolutionary literature and is widely read by activists, students, and scholars.
10. Her Legacy Is Still Polarizing
To supporters, Assata Shakur is a revolutionary hero who stood against racial oppression. To critics, she is a convicted fugitive who evaded justice. Her story continues to spark debates about race, justice, and activism in America.
FAQ Section
Q1: Who is Assata Shakur?
Assata Shakur, born Joanne Chesimard, is a former Black Panther and Black Liberation Army member convicted in the 1973 killing of a New Jersey state trooper.
Q2: Why is Assata Shakur famous?
She is known for her role in radical Black liberation movements, her 1979 prison escape, and her decades-long exile in Cuba.
Q3: Is Assata Shakur related to Tupac?
Yes, she is Tupac Shakur’s godmother and had a strong influence on his political consciousness and artistry.
Q4: What did Assata Shakur write?
She authored Assata: An Autobiography, a widely read book among activists and students.
Q5: Is Assata Shakur still wanted by the FBI?
Yes, she remains on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist list, with a $2 million reward for her capture.
Q6: Is Assata Shakur dead or alive?
Reports claim she has died at 78 in Cuba, though debates and verifications continue.
FAQ Section
Q1: Who is Assata Shakur?
Assata Shakur, born Joanne Chesimard, is a former Black Panther and Black Liberation Army member convicted in the 1973 killing of a New Jersey state trooper.
Q2: Why is Assata Shakur famous?
She is known for her role in radical Black liberation movements, her 1979 prison escape, and her decades-long exile in Cuba.
Q3: Is Assata Shakur related to Tupac?
Yes, she is Tupac Shakur’s godmother and had a strong influence on his political consciousness and artistry.
Q4: What did Assata Shakur write?
She authored Assata: An Autobiography, a widely read book among activists and students.
Q5: Is Assata Shakur still wanted by the FBI?
Yes, she remains on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist list, with a $2 million reward for her capture.
Q6: Is Assata Shakur dead or alive?
Reports claim she has died at 78 in Cuba, though debates and verifications continue.