Another Warrior Stolen

The state of Texas, the government, the shitstem murdered Hasan Shakur today at around 6:15 p.m. Filled his veins with poison. We were outside, a handful of us. There were other protests planned in Dallas, Austin and Houston. We were outside Huntsville Prison, where they transfer all prisoners to be executed.

The loss of another warrior, another brotha, another beautiful human being is a horrible blow. Hasan did more than most folks do with nothing. Imagine what he could have accomplished if he had been out on the streets. But that was not his situation, and Hasan knew the time, better than anyone else.

Hasan went out of this world the same way he lived in it: a warrior. Fighting, struggling for freedom, loving his people. THis brotha did not want to die, but he knew that the path he'd chosen made him an enemy of the state. He was so dangerous, that there was not any other course they could take. That speaks to his work.

Ham'Diya, an amazing sista in Philly who loved Hasan like a son, said there is an African belief that when a warrior is killed during battle, the spirit plane gains another warrior and he becomes even more dangerous. Hasan was nothing if not a warrior, and clearly we are at war, and they have executed one of our captured soldiers. Ham'Diya said, "If they thought he gave them trouble when he was alive, they just better wait to see what he does now that he is not constrained by this earthly form, and with the power of the other ancestors beside him." I don't know how much I believe in spirit, but I do know that through his words, through his writing, through his uncompromising example and through his boundless love, Hasan has infused me with his energy. His death has made me 100 times more committed to the struggle. He said you can turn any negative into a positive. I hope the positive will be that we honor this brotha by making sure that no more warriors are stolen, that we end this system and this cycle that is killing us, that we step up and say fuck the consequences, I have to do what I believe is right.

Hasan said no tears, crying is a waste of time. I believe that crying can make you strong, if you use it well. So I compromise, I am trying to do work, have been making calls, writing, spending time with his wife and the other suppoters who are here, trying to think of planning a memorial in Philly, and haven't shed a tear yet. But when I get to lay down, when I have nothing else to do but drift off to sleep, then I'm goign to let myself feel for this brotha, and honor his with my tears, with the deep hole that he has left in all of our hearts, but know that the cause he served has to fill it.

Deamn, Hasan, I wish we still had you hear, brotha, there is so much we need you for. But know that we're going to carry on, and we're going to make you and the other ancestors proud. And kids are going to be inspired by you, Hasan, the same way you were inspired by George and Malcolm and the Panthers, you are the courage and determination and revoltuionary spirit that you admired in them. You are Black August, and I hope we and I will do honor to your work and your life.