In 2016 three San Francisco teenagers wrote to Prison Radio correspondents across the country to ask them to call into Prison Radio and read Assata Shakur’s poem “Affirmation.” Here are the responses they collected.
Affirmation read by Lisa Strawn
Lisa Strawn Comments on Affirmation
Ms. Shakur’s words are very graphic and hits on every emotion. To me, life is affirmation: how we are born and raised, and what our eyes see and our hearts find is amazing. The happiness… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Khalfani Malik Khaldun
Hello, this is brother Khalfani Malik Khaldun calling in from Indiana. “Affirmation.” I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills and waterfalls,tricycles and rocking chairs.And I… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Sundiata Acoli
“Affirmation” by Assata Shakur. I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills and waterfalls,tricycles and rocking chairs.And I believe that seeds grow into sprouts.And sprouts grow… Full Transcript
Sundiata Acoli Comments on Affirmation
“What ‘Affirmation’ means to me,” by Sundiata Acoli. “Affirmation” is a political artistic masterpiece that continues to inspire and astound me at every turn. I think it ranks among the greatest liberation classics as Claude… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Kojo Bonami Sababu
“Affirmation” to Assata Shakur, dedicated to from Grailing Brown, Kojo Bonami Sababu. I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills and waterfalls,tricycles and rocking chairs.And I… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Kenneth Hartman
This is Kenneth E. Hartman calling from the California State Prison, Los Angeles County in Lancaster, California. “Affirmation” by Assata Shakur. I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Bennu Hannibal Rasan
Revolutionary greetings, peace and blessings to everyone. my name is Bennu Hannibal Rasan, formerly known as Melvin Ray. I’m currently incarcerated in the Alabama Department of Corrections, William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in solitary confinement,… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Uhuru Rowe
This is Uhuru Rowe calling from the Virginia prison system. This is the poem “Affirmation” by Assata Shakur. I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Edward Pinkney
I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills and waterfalls,tricycles and rocking chairs.And I believe that seeds grow into sprouts.And sprouts grow into trees.I believe in… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Jalil Muntaqim
“Affirmation” by Assata Shakur. I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills and waterfalls,tricycles and rocking chairs.And I believe that seeds grow into sprouts.And sprouts grow… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Mumia Abu Jamal
“Affirmation” by Assata Shakur. I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills and waterfalls,tricycles and rocking chairs.And I believe that seeds grow into sprouts.And sprouts grow… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Mumia Abu Jamal
“Affirmation” by Assata Shakur. I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills and waterfalls,tricycles and rocking chairs.And I believe that seeds grow into sprouts.And sprouts grow… Full Transcript
Affirmation Read By Bryant Arroyo
“Affirmation.” I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills and waterfalls,tricycles and rocking chairs.And I believe that seeds grow into sprouts.And sprouts grow into trees.I believe… Full Transcript
Affirmation read by Bryant Arroyo
“Affirmation.” I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills and waterfalls,tricycles and rocking chairs.And I believe that seeds grow into sprouts.And sprouts grow into trees.I believe… Full Transcript
Affirmations by Assata Shakur
Read by youths Full Transcript
Lisa Strawn, CMF Vacaville, I’m reading “Affirmation” by Assata Shakur. I believe in living.I believe in the spectrumof Beta days and Gamma people.I believe in sunshine.In windmills and waterfalls,tricycles and rocking chairs.And I believe that… Full Transcript