assata: general shakur

they would like us
to forget
the likes of her sacrifices
one dark woman
well-dressed
in plaid shadows
called afro-freedom

fighting yelling teaching
staying alive
on the frontline
imprisoned exiled wounded
still living
loving her people
from the outer edges

etched within our hearts
tucked safely
within our minds
one dark woman
well-dressed
in plaid shadows
called afro-freedom

clawing scratching scraping
staying alive
on the frontline
wow what a warrior
wow what a woman
what a wonderful general
she’s been

Lamont Lilly is an independent journalist, Black radical activist, poet and community organizer based in Durham, North Carolina. In 2016, he was the Workers World Party U.S. vice-presidential candidate. Follow him on Twitter @LamontLilly Read other articles by Lamont.