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"From Exile With Love" Queen Assata, Part 2: Former Black Panther Assata Shakur speaks to America from Cuba

by Nisa Islam Muhammad

Four and a half years after her daring escape from prison, Assata Shakur was reunited with her daughter in Cuba. Regarding those times, she says:

“When I came to Cuba I expected everyone to look like Fidel but you see everything and everyone is different. I saw Black, White, Asian all living and working together. The Cuban women were so elegantly dressed and groomed.

“People would just talk to me in the street. I would wonder why until I realized that people are not afraid of each other. People in America are afraid to walk the streets. It’s not like that here.

“I realized that I had some healing to do. I didn’t know the extent of my wounds until I came to Cuba. I began to heal with my work, raising my daughter and being a part of a culture that appreciates you.

“Living in Cuba means being appreciated by society, not depreciated by society. No matter what we do in America, no matter what we earn, we’re still not appreciated by American society.”

Who are the people on the tiny island nation of Cuba only 90 miles from Florida, I asked Assata? Who are these people who dare to say “no” to America? Who are these 11 million revolutionaries who resist in the face of the most powerful country in the world?

“Cubans feel like they have power no matter who they are,” she responded.

“They see themselves as part of a world. We (Blacks) just see ourselves as part of a ‘hood. They identify with oppressed people all over the world. When the Angolans were fighting against South Africa, they asked Cuba for help. Soldiers were sent - they went gladly.

“Cubans have a different perspective of outrage and justice. A White Cuban soldier came back from fighting and expressed his disdain for the Whites that were supporting apartheid. I just looked at him because in my mind he was White like they were, but that’s not how he saw himself. He couldn’t understand how the South Africans could support apartheid.

“Anytime you have a country that makes people feel indignant about atrocities, wherever they are, that country has a special place in my heart. Cuba is trying to end exploitation and atrocities.”

For nearly 20 years, Assata has carved out a life for herself in Cuba. She lives in exile and while many rejoice in her new life, America has not forgotten her alleged crimes. In 1997, the New Jersey State Troopers wrote to the Pope asking for the Pontiff’s help in having her extradited.

Former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd-Whitman issued a $100,000 enticement for anyone to assist in the return of Assata Shakur. Congress issued H.R. 254 calling on Cuba to send her back, which was supported by most Black congresspersons.

In the absence of normalized relations with Cuba, there is no binding extradition treaty between Cuba and the United States.

What is it like to live in exile? What is it like to be away from family and friends? Assata says:

“Living in exile is hard. I miss my family and friends. I miss the culture, the music, how people talk and their creativity. I miss the look of recognition Black women give each other, the understanding we express without saying a word.

“I adjusted by learning to understand what was going on in the world. The Cubans helped me to adjust. I learned joys in life by learning other cultures. It was a privilege to come here to a rich culture. I had a big fear that the Cubans would hate me when I arrived. They are very sophisticated. They were able to separate the people from America like me from the government.”

What message does she have for the youth of our people? What does she want people to know about her life?

“I don’t see myself as that different from (other) sisters who struggle for social justice. In the ‘60s it was easier to identify racism. There were signs that told you where you belonged. We had to struggle to eliminate apartheid in the South; now we have to know the other forms that exist today. 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. That fueled me.

“We knew what a token was then. Today young people don’t see Condoleezza Rice or Colin Powell as tokens. That’s a problem.

“I realized that I was connected to Africa. I wasn’t just a Colored girl. I was part of a whole world that wanted a better life. I’m part of a majority and not a minority. My life has been a life of growth. If you’re not growing you’re not going to understand real love. If you’re not reaching out to help others, then you’re shrinking. My life has been active; I’m not a spectator. We can’t afford to be spectators while our lives deteriorate. We have to truly love our people and work to make that love stronger.”

Ms. Shakur is finishing another book about her life in exile and her experiences in Cuba.

Final Call Staff Writer Nisa Islam Muhammad traveled to Cuba with a group of 15 journalists under the guidance of DeWayne Wickham and the Institute for Advanced Journalism Studies to document the African influence in the Americas. While there, she was granted an exclusive interview with exiled former Black Panther Assata Shakur. Originally published in the Final Call, the entire article can be read at www.finalcall.com/international/assata%5Fshakur06%2D11%2D2002.htm .