Beginning today and over the next several weeks, we’ll share some ideas about the themes in Assata: An Autobiography—themes of resistance, radicalization, and revolution. Assata: An Autobiography opens with the theme of resistance front and center. She begins her story with the shooting on the New Jersey State Turnpike and the events that followed—her immediate incarceration in the hospital due to the injuries she received during the shootout. She describes the brutal verbal and physical abuse she endured at the hands of the cops who guarded her room. While hospitalized, Assata tells of how she confronted this abuse by reading aloud two works of poetry she had been given by two Black nurses who were kind to her. She writes,
I keep coming back to: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." from Maya Angelou as I continue to explore resistance and white supremacy as it plays out in our systems and institutions. I know it is completely cliché but it has helped move me from knowledge and understanding to actions in many aspects of my life and work.
This quote only seems cliche because it has been helpful for so many people! It seems so simple on the surface, but it is so deeply powerful. Thanks for sharing!
“Changes” by Tupac Shakur is a piece I revisit often. During my MSW program I analyzed the multitude of societal and political messages within it. Since then, it has fueled my inspiration toward liberation and resistance. Now, I utilized it as a reminder for my fight against the family policing system though it is applicable to all carceral systems in America.
The unwavering strength that Assata details in chapter 1, despite the immense hatred, torture, and pain that she was facing is astounding. How she found the will and creativity to fight back in meaningful ways! Resistance is a Shakur family honor. I am getting inspired to memorialize through an honoring space of some sort. Ideas welcome!
“To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.”
The lyrics to this song feels like my life story and who I am today. When I need to remember my purpose and why I resist, I listen to this song. If I don't have a listening device I sing it! "Don't let nobody fill your head up with their lies. Baby you will rise."
You Will Rise
/
Lyrics
I got a story that must be heard,
About a little girl who wished she was a bird
She was unhappy livin' in her ghetto cage,
But it gave her hope when her sweet grandma would say:
Rise
(Limit is the skies)
The skies
(Don't let nobody fill your head with their lies)
Nobody.. fill your head with lies
(Baby, you will rise)
Rise
(Never compromise)
Compromise
(Milk and honey is waitin' for you on the other side)
Waitin' for you on the other side
Yeah
She had a burning desire to go far,
And she had lively hopes of reaching every star
One day she'd leave this place,
But never forget her people's face
And when she found her dreams,
She'd come back and proclaim:
Rise
(Limit is the skies)
The skies
(Don't let nobody fill your head with their lies)
Nobody.. fill your head with lies
(Baby, you will rise)
Rise
(Never compromise)
Compromise
(Milk and honey is waitin' for you on the other side)
Waitin' for you on the other side
You will rise..
Rise
(Limit is the skies)
The skies
(Don't let nobody fill your head with their lies)
Nobody.. fill your head with lies
(Baby, you will rise)
Rise
(Never compromise)
Compromise
(Milk and honey is waitin' for you on the other side)
Waitin' for you on the other side
Got a burning in my heart,
To keep it real and do my part
Got a burning in my soul,
To recognize where I'm from, yeah
Got a burning in my heart,
To keep it real and do my part
Got a burning in my soul
To recognize where I'm from, yeah
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Amel Larrieux / Andrew Hale / Guesley Larrieux / Laru Larrieux / Paul Denman / Stuart Matthewman
I keep coming back to: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." from Maya Angelou as I continue to explore resistance and white supremacy as it plays out in our systems and institutions. I know it is completely cliché but it has helped move me from knowledge and understanding to actions in many aspects of my life and work.
This quote only seems cliche because it has been helpful for so many people! It seems so simple on the surface, but it is so deeply powerful. Thanks for sharing!
“Changes” by Tupac Shakur is a piece I revisit often. During my MSW program I analyzed the multitude of societal and political messages within it. Since then, it has fueled my inspiration toward liberation and resistance. Now, I utilized it as a reminder for my fight against the family policing system though it is applicable to all carceral systems in America.
The unwavering strength that Assata details in chapter 1, despite the immense hatred, torture, and pain that she was facing is astounding. How she found the will and creativity to fight back in meaningful ways! Resistance is a Shakur family honor. I am getting inspired to memorialize through an honoring space of some sort. Ideas welcome!
Thanks so much for sharing! So much of Tupac's catalogue gives voice to the critiques of America he undoubtedly grew up hearing.
Received via email:
“To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.”
― Arundhati Roy, The Cost of Living
"...to never look away..." ::chills::
The lyrics to this song feels like my life story and who I am today. When I need to remember my purpose and why I resist, I listen to this song. If I don't have a listening device I sing it! "Don't let nobody fill your head up with their lies. Baby you will rise."
You Will Rise
/
Lyrics
I got a story that must be heard,
About a little girl who wished she was a bird
She was unhappy livin' in her ghetto cage,
But it gave her hope when her sweet grandma would say:
Rise
(Limit is the skies)
The skies
(Don't let nobody fill your head with their lies)
Nobody.. fill your head with lies
(Baby, you will rise)
Rise
(Never compromise)
Compromise
(Milk and honey is waitin' for you on the other side)
Waitin' for you on the other side
Yeah
She had a burning desire to go far,
And she had lively hopes of reaching every star
One day she'd leave this place,
But never forget her people's face
And when she found her dreams,
She'd come back and proclaim:
Rise
(Limit is the skies)
The skies
(Don't let nobody fill your head with their lies)
Nobody.. fill your head with lies
(Baby, you will rise)
Rise
(Never compromise)
Compromise
(Milk and honey is waitin' for you on the other side)
Waitin' for you on the other side
You will rise..
Rise
(Limit is the skies)
The skies
(Don't let nobody fill your head with their lies)
Nobody.. fill your head with lies
(Baby, you will rise)
Rise
(Never compromise)
Compromise
(Milk and honey is waitin' for you on the other side)
Waitin' for you on the other side
Got a burning in my heart,
To keep it real and do my part
Got a burning in my soul,
To recognize where I'm from, yeah
Got a burning in my heart,
To keep it real and do my part
Got a burning in my soul
To recognize where I'm from, yeah
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Amel Larrieux / Andrew Hale / Guesley Larrieux / Laru Larrieux / Paul Denman / Stuart Matthewman
You Will Rise lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Thank you for sharing! This is a great pick from the incomparable Amel Larrieux. :)