As some of us know, Afeni Shakur was an active member of the Black Panther Party. In fact, she was even arrested, while pregnant with Tupac (As mentioned in “Dear Mama”). Earlier today, the Panthers released a statement commemorating the well-known activist and loving mother.
As expected, there were individual statements released from the Party members. But, the organization as a whole, put together words that had much to praise the late-great legend.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our sister Afeni Shakur.
Afeni was a sister, mentor, comrade and leader within the New York chapter of the Black Panther Party. As the section leader of the Harlem branch, Afeni was the one who personally welcomed many of us into the party. As the communications secretary, she was one of the highest ranking members on the East Coast and her leadership was the reason many young women joined.
Afeni had a deep and profound love for the community and a passion for the people that made her a dynamic organizer and dedicated activist. She embodied the spirit of what it meant to be a Black Panther, waking up at 5AM to cook for the free breakfast program, coordinating the day to day office duties and personally being in the field.
Afeni’s organizing laid the seeds for a legacy we still bear witness to today. While working with tenant organizations, Afeni led numerous rent strikes, resulting in several tenant owned buildings, some of which still exist today. She was instrumental in organizing health care professionals and patients at Lincoln Hospital and Harlem Hospital to develop the first patient bill of rights, a forerunner of the patient bill of rights now posted in every hospital.
After the Black Panther Party, Afeni continued her work in the community as a paralegal helping save hundreds of families from eviction and criminal convictions. She left an everlasting impact on the community and the arts world with her life long contributions that will never be forgotten.
We send our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Sekyiwa, Jean and the entire Shakur family. We ask that young people everywhere continue Afeni’s legacy by lifting up her name and continuing to organize in their communities wherever they see injustice.
We Love you dear sister Afeni. Long live your revolutionary spirit!
All Power To The People!
Sincerely,
The National Alumni Association of the Black Panther Party
