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Afeni
Shakur: Evolution
of a Revolutionary
By Jasmine Guy
Reviewed by Isidra Person-Lynn The book was emblazoned with white letters on
the stark black cover “Afeni Shakur” followed by smaller
gold letters “Evolution of a Revolutionary.” But it
was the author’s name below that caused a double take:
“Jasmine Guy.”
Jasmine Guy? Whitley? Why would
Whitley of “Different World” comedic TV fame be writing
about Tupac’s famed mother—a former Black Panther?
Curiosity moved this reviewer to pick it up and satisfaction
moved the story throughout until the triumphant ending.
It turns out, this biography/autobiography
(Atria Books 2004 ISBN 0-7434-7053-2) wasn’t watered down by
“Whitley” at all. It was written by Jasmine Guy, the
woman, the dancer, the actress, the writer, and the contemporary
of Tupac who hung with him and Jada Pinkett Smith during his
life causing them to be there in a big way during both shootings
and his death. Jasmine formed a bond with Pac’s “Dear
Mama,” Afeni Shakur, and over the next 10 years culled
Afeni’s story, building a sisterhood in the process.
It is a first book for both of them and while
there is much more to be said about both, there is enough there
to hopefully jumpstart Generation X to read more and learn about
the names and people mentioned within. It brings the
Panther Party’s importance into the light, the police
infiltration into reality and the crack craze into perspective.
There were reasons for all of the above and this book explains
all that. The only thing it doesn’t explain--or even
touch upon-- adequately was why when Tupac died on Friday Sept.
13 was he cremated on Saturday, Sept. 14?
Internet photos affirm there was an autopsy, but this sudden
disposal by Afeni has led to the “Tupac is not dead” mantra
of some of our youth, The Tupac Machiavelli syndrome and Tupac:
Resurrection. (In a way, the Tupac Resurrection was real.
In that movie, his life—and death—was told in his own
words.)
Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary
opens the door to the young mother’s pain and shows the
parallels between Pac’s life and his mother’s. Both young
revolutionaries took to the national stage when they were much
too young. His story has been well documented, but her story
explains how you go from being a Panther revolutionary, to a
crack head, and back again. There were reasons. Today she
heads the empire that Pac built.
This book is a must read for all struggling
with addictions. It speaks of the work Afeni did, the
steps that need to be taken to free oneself from the drug of
choice.
Applaud Jasmine Guy for stepping out of her
privileged personae to take on such a meaty subject and perhaps
being the one unsuspecting soul who can bring Afeni’s life to
our young countrymen who need to hear it.
Isidra Person-Lynn is a writer and mother of five sons living in Los
Angeles. For comments: Isidra@prperson.com
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