When you go through all your life processing and abusing your hair so it will look like the hair of another race of people then you are making a statement and the statement is clear
Assata ShakurRead
I was sentenced to life plus 30 years by an all-White jury. What I saw in prison was wall-to-wall Black flesh in chains. Women caged in cells. But we're the terrorists. It just doesn't make sense.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the injustice and racial bias in the prison system, highlighting the disconcerting reality of mass incarceration.
Assata Shakur's quote addresses the deep-seated racial inequalities in the American justice system, particularly the disproportionate representation of Black individuals within prisons. It raises questions about the definition of terrorism and justice in a society where a significant segment of the population is oppressed and dehumanized, calling into question societal norms and the narratives built around crime and punishment.
Themes
JusticeRacismPrisonInequalityOppression
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing criminal justice reform, one might quote Assata Shakur to highlight the racial disparities faced by those incarcerated.
More from Assata Shakur
All quotes →Part of being a revolutionary is creating a vision that is more humane. That is more fun, too. That is more loving. It's really working to create something beautiful.
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We had to learn that we're beautiful. We had to relearn something forcefully taken from us. We had to learn about Black power. People have power if we unite. We learned the importance of coming together and being active
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My life wasn't beautiful and creative before I became politically active. My life was totally changed when I began to struggle.
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Peace is a rare gift. Peace of mind, peaceful sleeps, and peaceful spirits are all luxuries that few rebels can ever afford.
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And if I know anything at all, it's that a wall is just a wall and nothing more at all. It can be broken down.
Assata ShakurRead
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