Assata Shakur: A 20th Century Escaped Slave

"Assata Shakur: A 20th Century Escaped Slave" unravels the tumultuous life of Assata Shakur, a figure emblematic of racial and criminal justice struggles. Published on February 15, 2017, this book dives into the depths of the 1973 New Jersey Turnpike shootout that led to Shakur’s conviction and her subsequent audacious escape from a maximum-security prison in 1979. A former member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army, Shakur’s narrative is a poignant exploration of systemic injustices within the American legal framework. Now living in Cuba under political asylum, her story raises critical questions about activism, resistance, and the price of fighting for one's beliefs. Ideal for high school readers, this book not only educates on past civil rights challenges but also connects them to ongoing debates in criminal and racial justice, urging young minds to reflect on the complexities of advocacy and reform in America’s social justice system.