Afeni Shakur : Evolution of a Revolutionary

by Jasmine Guy

Before becoming one of the most well-known members of the Black Power movement, Alice Faye Williams was not unlike any other poor, African American girl growing up in the impoverished South. But when her family moved to New York during the radical sixties, she became intoxicated by the promise of social change. By the time she turned twenty-one, Alice had a new name -- Afeni Shakur, derived from the Yoruba term for "lover of people" -- and a new vision for the future. The rest is history.

In 1969, Afeni was arrested along with other members of the Black Panther party on 189 felony charges that included 30 counts of conspiracy. Though she was eventually acquitted of the charges, Afeni spent eleven months in jail before being released. Once on bail, she became pregnant with a son: Tupac Amaru Shakur, a rap megastar until his tragic death in 1996.
In this searing work, renowned actress and Afeni's trusted friend Jasmine Guy reveals the evolution of a woman through a series of intimate conversations on themes such as love, death, race, drugs, politics, music, and of course her son. Filled with startling revelations and heartbreaking truths, Afeni's memoir is a powerful testament to the human spirit and the perseverance of the African American people.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Race, Politics, African American

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Jasmine Guy is an American actress, director, singer and dancer. She is best known for her starring role as Whitley Gilbert in the television sitcom 'A Different World,' and as part of the ensemble cast of 'Dead Like Me.'

Reviews

[Ebony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immediately, I thought Afeni and Jasmine were an unlikely collaboration and I was curious to know about their relationship. I have always been a fan of both women. I loved Jasmine every since she was Whitley on A Different World and I have always wanted to learn more about Afeni. I knew she was the mother of legendary rapper Tupac and that she was a prominent figure in the Black Panther movement, but nothing other than that.

After sitting on my bookshelf for some months, I finally sat down to read it. The book is powerful and well put. Jasmine’s writing style is witty, graceful and eloquent just like her personality.

This book is full of knowledge. I had to stop to make notes in my journal as if I was in class. There were several lessons and quotes that I never want to forget.

Afeni is an incredible woman with a story to be told. Although we are products of two totally different generations, I feel like I understand her. I can definitely appreciate her strength. I feel like a grew up a little bit more just from hearing her story.

[Bobbieshiann · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books to be read and there are books to simply understand, and that was Afeni Shakur : Evolution of a Revolutionary for me. I took my time with it, reread the first half randomly, and understood Afeani with no judgement passed because how do we know ourselves if we do not know what came before us? For example, our parents’ story and their parents and grandparents’ story. There is so much we do not know about our lineage to understand ourselves now.

“Black people had land, you know, but we lost it. It was hard to keep it, though, but when that land got taken, it broke us down a little more. So, the next time the children came up, they didn’t know it is the land that is important. Now, they think the trinket is important ‘cause their parents and their parents before them didn’t own shit”.

“I do not regret any of it—for it taught me to be something that some people will never learn—for the first time in my life I feel like a woman—beaten, battered and scarred maybe, but isn’t that what wisdom is truly made of. Help me to continue to learn—only this time with a bit more grace for I am a poor example for anyone to follow because I have deviated from the revolutionary principles which I know to be correct. I wish you love”.

“My addiction was not just to substances but also to the people I continued to keep in my life. I stayed right there with those people. I never moved on. All the time these men were being killed viciously, being arrested, disappearing, and I just stayed. I believe in my heart that this was it. These people were my life. I didn’t know any better. Even when I was smoking crack at my worst, I would say, God, how am I gonna get out of this? And he would say, ‘Well, for you there is no way out. Where would you go?”

“There’s a whole business in prison with men who know how to do it. They write letters for you. Hassan used to write letters for men. It has nothing to do with normal relationships, love and all that. Nothing to do with that and everything to do with survival”.

“I wonder what good is does for the dying when you’re there for them at the end of their lives, but you never showed up for them while they were living”.

[Niv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agency is such a powerful thing. Anyone familiar with Tupac's "Dear Mama" knows the story of Afeni Shakur - or so it may seem. I can attest that it doesn't even come close to illuminating the complexities of the life of Afeni Shakur. Speaking with such profound clarity, Afeni holds no illusions about her mistakes and her imperfections. But she is so much more than her missteps, and Jasmine Guy craftily ensures that we see Afeni as a whole woman.

Afeni's story is the story of Black women in America. Her story, and that of her son and daughter shed light on the way pain is passed between generations. Indeed, it is a story of struggle, but also one of reconciliation, rebirth, and the wisdom that only comes from living through the deepest depths of despair. It is a story about womanhood, about Blackness, about injustice, about honesty, personal responsibility, and truth. There is so much to be learned from Afeni's story, way beyond being mother to one of hip-hop's most legendary names. This is a story that needed to be told and that absolutely should be read.

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt, Engaging & Moving! A Fascinating Read! I Loved It!

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very touching book.. afeni was definitely pac’s soulmate

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a POWERFUL read! I read this book in less than 24 hours and I absolutely could not put it down. I have been a Tupac super fan for all of my life. Through the teachings of my grandmother and other positive figures in my life I already knew quite a bit about The BPP and Afeni’s role in the NY21 acquittal. But this raw and real book (which ultimately reads as a conversation between two friends, Jasmine Guy and Afeni) really cut me open.

Afeni tells HER story. Not as the “mother of Tupac Shakur” (because she was soooo much more than that) but as the little poor black girl who was filled with rage and insecurity. Who wanted to be protected. Who fell into addiction and a life of SO MUCH LOSS ... and how she came out on the other side.

Highly recommend. FULL 5 STARS.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brutally honest memoir of Afeni Shakur, co-written with Jasmine Guy. Of her trials in life, Afeni learned from it. Jasmine seems to have wanted us in the room with them as they spoke and I loved that. I felt close to both of them. It took her some time for Afeni to even out her course. However, with this book, she gave it back to Jasmine (as she later notes), to me, to all of us, who read about it, as a testimonial of gratitude and extra chances.

[Thorn MotherIssues · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading a lot about activists and leftists in the '60s and was mostly hoping for that, but Shakur's life story beyond that was interesting too. I still need better books on women in the Black Panthers.

[JRT · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short but beautiful account of Afeni Shakur’s life, captured and written by actress Jasmine Guy from first-hand conversations with Afeni. There is no romanticization or glorification of Afeni’s past, only humanization and lessons in struggle. Guy did a tremendous job displaying Afeni’s brutally honest self-reflectiveness. Afeni never hid her demons, and understanding those demons allows for greater insights into her time as a member of the Black Panther Party, as well as the tumultuous and tragically short life of her son, Tupac. While I wish there was more detail on her day-to-day life as a Panther and the circumstances that led up to the Panther 21 case, that info can be found in other books. This book is essentially a written, first-hand record of Afeni’s road to healing and peace. Highly recommended.

[Victoria Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

If, like me, you didn't know much about Afeni and/or Tupac Shakur before picking up this book, you may still be left with questions and holes in your understanding about them and their lives. I understand that Guy intended for this to be a reflection of their conversations, but I think the book would have benefited from her filling in the gaps.

The book doesn't go deep into the Panther 21 case (in which everyone, including was acquitted), which is a shame considering the current politically-motivated arrests and prosecutions with threats of up to 70 years in prison if convicted:
https://www.thenation.com/article/the...
and
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/...

[Clifford Onehundredd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Afeni was beloved mother and Panther to the man I've idolized all my life...she forever will have my respect. Jasmine Guy did a beautiful and brave thing sitting down with Afeni to hear her story. I believe Afeni can teach all other black women what resilience and courage really is. Although I have a different account of what happen to my Teacher Pac I'm understand that his absence left a void in the family and his friends. I sometimes wonder what type of world we live in when all the pressure is on the underdogs. A few People who knew Afeni knew me, it's safe to say she knew of me as a fan of Tupac...Kristen Parcus was lucky to spend time with her...Afeni is eternally in our hearts...this book was beautiful I'm glad I finally read it.

[Stanjay Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasmine Guy is a brilliant black woman, and I admire her greatly. I have equal admiration for her desire to write this book highlighting the life of Afeni Shakur.
Afeni, a former Blank Panther and, most notably, the mother of Tupac Shakur, shed light on various aspects of her life in what I found to be an incredibly compelling way. The book is written by Jasmine, almost like running notes she compiled in her various conversations with her friend Afeni. It felt like I was sitting in a couch in the same room as Jasmine and Afeni; that's how intimate and personal this collection of conversations turned book felt to me as I was reading. Rest in power, Afeni and Tupac!

[Ryan Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for a book club and came in with little knowledge of Tupac and his mother Afeni Shakur. I feel like I still really don't know her very well. This book is basically a series of conversations between friends Jasmine Guy and Afeni Shakur where Jasmine clearly knows the history. If you have some basic knowledge about the history, this book probably fills in some details but I was left with just an outline of Afeni's life with big gaps. Makes me want to read more.

[martha fountain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected

There were so many layers to Afeni Shakur and to unpack it where it is revealed authentically takes skills. Jasmine Guy personal relationship with Afeni provided her access but in some cases the story fell flat as the author inserted herself in different parts of the story. I wanted to learn more about Afeni and the fact it was portrayed as a dialogue made the story lose some of the strong elements of storytelling. I definitely wanted more.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved learning more about Afeni’s life & her involvement with the Black Panther Party/NY 21 trial. Her story is full of heartbreak & faith & recovery. At times I felt like Guy’s narration was unnecessary & pulled me away from Afeni’s words.

[ISRA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A uniquely written biography, composed of conversations more than stories. It is illuminating and provides a full picture of Afeni, yet I feel information is still missing like her relationship with Legs and Billy hence the confusion about Tupac’s paternity. She never addresses how she met either which is in my opinion crucial, pivotal. Additionally, her relationship with Mutulu and her daughter. Things were said but not fully delved into. There was no mention of Kidada or Tupac’s brief marriage to Keisha. It was more about Jasmine & her relationship with the Shakur family. I wanted more of Afeni’s thoughts and narrative while the stories she shared were significant. It ultimately feels almost incomplete to me.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book worth reading

There is something so very therapeutic about taking a deep dive into someone's true life story. Reading this was like watching two old friends talk about trials, tribulations, bad decisions, failed relationships, lessons learned the hard way, motherhood, mistakes, family, triumphs, and so much more. Ms.Afeni didn't hold back. She didn't sugarcoat anything. She told her story as only she could, and Ms. Guy did an amazing job helping this story be told. This is definitely in my top ten favorite memoirs now.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very warm, intriguing, and powerful read. I don’t think I’ve ever read a biography/autobiography like this- the recollections are told almost entirely through dialogue, which read delightfully like fiction.

[Eric Piotrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised to find a biography of Tupac's mother written by Jasmine Guy. I'd only known her from A Different World, but she was a good friend of Pac's, and became close to his mother (and the rest of his family) after he died. This is a very interesting, powerful, and well-written look at her life and the stories behind "Dear Mama". A must-read for anyone interested in hip-hop, the Black Panthers, or what happens when a movement skids out of control. (Shakur says "We dropped the ball.")

My heart smiled to find so much emphasis on education, poetry, and people taking care of people. As with Michael Eric Dyson's Holler if You Hear Me, it makes me wonder what Tupac would be like today.

[Jasmyne Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Afeni Shakur: The Evolution of a Revolutionary is my favorite book. This book is beyond powerful! It entails a great deal of African American history- the affects of slavery, the Black Panther movement, and Hip Hop in the eyes of the late Tupac Shakur embodied in one single, yet strong African American woman. This book reads as a conversational dialogue and I immediately engaged in Afeni's story about life, struggle, and progression. This book has changed my perspectives and life in many areas.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting story. I loved hearing Afeni talk about her time with the Black Panthers and thne on trial. Hearing about her drug addiction was interesting, but I was disappointed that it effectively took over her life and thus the remainder of the story after the trial in her 20s. I really did not enjoy the presentation. The author just describes interviewing Afeni and quotes her, occasionally adding commentary which I also didn't enjoy the content of. For those looking for information about Tupac this book contains very little.

[Stephanie Givens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I've heard about the Shakur family's struggles and hardships. I had no idea however, the Intensity and hardships Akeni Shakur faced as a child, Black Panther, Wife and Mother. She overcame struggles and obstacles that seemed insurmountable. My true admiration was her ability to take accountability for her actions rather than placing blame. I applaud Jasmine Guy for the detailed descriptions that made me feel like a third person in the room mesmerized by Akeni's story.
I'd love to see a movie that captures this book.

[CD · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got rather bogged down after the first 75-100 pages. The story was not paced well or to my liking.

Much of this is a fascinating story and one that should be related frequently as it changes the views of many people about a particularly misunderstood US era in history.

Jasmine Guy is a great friend but sometime the writing does not serve the story.

This is a 'to be read again later' book for me. I wonder if I read it in fewer 'sittings' if it might not flow better.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt as if I was talking to mom...or sitting in on the conversations between Jasmine and Afeni. Very thankful to have read this book and received some of Afeni's wisdom. I finished this book on the day before Tupac was killed 19 years ago. It was very powerful.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

jasmine guy is an incredible writer and afeni is an incrediblely strong woman! this book is an emotional journey and it was worth every single step!

[Lisa Kekaula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very candid book written by Jasmine Guy about the mother of Tupac Shakur. I was floored by the honesty in this book and the courage to live through what she lived through.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

...and this is why I love reading.

[danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty quick, informative, and moving biography of Afeni Shakur that I was inspired to read after learning a little bit about her time in the Panthers and in the Women's House of Detention from the book of the same name. I think what is most striking about this biography is the unconventional way it is told, through conversations between Jasmine Guy and Afeni, often rich with details about the circumstances of the conversation, their states of mind while having them, and their relationship overall. The result is a much more intimate, caring, and narrative form of biography than I am used to reading.

What was maybe most surprising to me about this book, a biography of the former Black Panther who represented herself in court during the trial of the Panther 21 as well as Tupac's mother, was what was absent from it. First, there is very little in the book about Afeni's queerness/sexuality, which, at least according to Hugh Ryan, was a major part of her life to the point where Tupac's original last name came from the woman that Afeni was living with and in a relationship with at the time. It feels possible that this is partly attributable to timing - Guy's book was published in the much more homophobic 2005 than Ryan's (published in the I suppose at least less homophobic 2022). It's possible this question is easily answerable (indeed, that it is in Ryan's book itself somewhere), but it does make me curious if there was a specific reason, whether it was something that Guy knew about (given how intimate their conversations and relationship seems otherwise), and I suppose how Afeni herself came to think about that aspect of her identity and part of her life.

The second thing I was somewhat surprised to notice in the book was a relative absence of politics as the narrative progresses. The chapters on her experiences in the Panthers were fascinating and contained a lot of interesting information about what drew her to the Panthers, how they directed her rage, and her relationships and rise to prominence within the party (as well as plenty of icky details about the rampant misogyny within it). However, once the narrative moves beyond that period of her life it feels as though the politics fall away altogether. In one sense, this may just be a reflection of the direction her life went - she doesn't seem to have stayed politically active, she struggled with drug addiction and became a mother to two children, and the narrative is largely concerned with those major elements of her life.

This isn't a critique so much as something I find interesting, especially insofar as it contrasts with biographies of other Panthers/Panther-adjacent figures like Assata Shakur, Angela Davis, Mumia, etc. It does seem in one sense that the incarceration or exile of Panther leaders played a significant role in their ongoing struggle, whereas in a way it seems like Afeni was able to transition back to a more or less regular life (after her addiction, that is), particularly after the commercial and monetary success of Tupac ensured her material comforts later in life. Given the prominence of her struggle with addiction in the narrative and the role of AA/religion in getting her out of that, I am also curious to what extent this influenced her to think more along the lines of individual responsibility over structural or political explanations for things like drug addiction, poverty, or other things she and her family members struggled with over the course of their lives.

Of course, that doesn't take away my appreciation for the book, which in the end was a very loving and sort of amazingly honest reflection on a remarkable life. I came away with even more admiration for Afeni as a person after learning about the ways that she grew over the course of her life and the struggles that she went through - and overcame - outside the courtroom. Will hopefully read more such biographies/memoirs this year!

[Corey Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super dope!! I especially enjoyed the format in having it occur over a series of conversations over years!

Afeni's willingness to share and be open and honest about her struggles provide a reference point for so many to learn and grow from. With that, It's especially encouraging reading these lines: "live life from here. Pick up from where I am now. I give my experience to you so you don't have to go down like I did to learn it." The power of history (herstory) on those that are left behind to read it can be life changing if we simply read their pages, and listen to their stories.

Another quote that I enjoyed, which I believe was from Jasmine Guy: "You can abandon someone and still be in the room." This just speaks to the need to not only be in attendance, but be engaged and active in the lives of those close to you. Simply being there is not enough!

Lastly, and super powerful was this: "after it all disintegrated, and I was alone with my memories and nowhere to go, after I watched them kill our men and lock up their brilliance, I made choices only an addict can make." This not only speaks to the immense pressure of her life as a Black Panther, but also the pressure that our women often have worrying about their men coming home. This world is a cruel place, and the pressure of knowing that each day isn't promised can be overwhelming even for some of the strongest and most brilliant minds! I am truly thankful for her example!! Black women, y'all are the real MVP!! As a black man, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the women of the movement that have been the rocks for our communities!!

Shout out to you Jasmine Guy for sharing your special relationship with Ms. Afeni Shakur with the world and all you invested in making sure to preserve and share these special experiences with us!

[reading.withree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before becoming one of the most well known members of the Black Panther Party, she was Alice Faye Williams. Growing up in the impoverish South, when her family moved to New York during the radical sixties, she became intoxicated by the promise of social change. By the time she turned twenty-one, Alice had a new name—- Afeni Shakur, derived from the Yoruba term for “lover of people.” In this book, Jasmine Guy, a true friend of Afeni, captures the evolution of a woman. The evolution of Afeni Shakur through the love, death, drugs, music and of course her beloved son.
•••••
I started this book in the summer and became super overwhelmed with her story. I stopped at exactly chapter 6. I decided to revisit the book, starting from the beginning. It’s fullllll of knowledge. This was the first time I flagged a book and was taking notes. There were several quotes and lessons I will never forget. Initially, I thought Afeni Shakur and Jasmine Guy were an unlikely collaboration, but the more I read the more I felt that they were the perfect match. Jasmine’s writing style was just like her personality….spicy, but eloquent and graceful. Afeni was such a powerful woman. I am glad got to read her story. Definitely a force to be reckoned with. I admire her strength. I am excited to see how Jasmine Guy captures her in the upcoming biopic.