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For her, activism was a source of joy and privilege, as it offered the satisfaction of contributing to something greater. Shakur was highly critical of the capitalist system and the consumer culture it spawned. She denounced the“ McDonald-ized worldview” and“ Barbie culture” promoted by the United States as empty, alienating and destructive of authentic values. She insisted on the need to oppose the policies of institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF, which she perceived as mechanisms of neo-imperialism and neo-colonialism.
Extracts from Interviews and Key Books
In an interview with Pastors For Peace in 2000, Assata Shakur expanded on her decision to come to Cuba and her vision of Cuban society. She said Cuba was a“ very principled” country with a long history of supporting victims of political repression, and that she wanted to“ see for herself what happens in a place that’ s trying to build socialism”. She was impressed by Cubans’ optimism and pride in building a system of social justice. She called Cuba a“ place of healing”, where she could begin to repair the wounds inflicted by oppression and imprisonment.
“ Assata: An Autobiography
Flashmag! Edition 165 Octobre 2025
Her autobiography, Assata: An Autobiography, is a powerful account of her journey. In it, she details the experiences that led her to a life of activism, and describes the strengths, weaknesses and eventual demise of the movement she joined.
The Last Chapter: Death in Exile
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The long hunt ended far from the United States. September 25, 2025, Havana, Cuba: Assata Shakur dies at the age of 78, due to failing health and advanced age. Her death is confirmed by her daughter Kakuya Shakur and the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Assata Shakur case, with its twists and turns, mysteries and conflicting ideologies, remains one of the most poignant and controversial stories in modern American history, a saga that continues to divide and inspire.