ASSATA OLUGBALA SHAKUR

Throughout history, the US government has been complicit in perpetuating systemic oppression against marginalized groups, particularly Black people and women. This is why we have Black History Month and Women's History Month, to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and struggles of historically marginalized groups. One individual who has been targeted by the US government and is a significant figure in the histories of both Black people and women is Assata Shakur.

Assata Shakur, born JoAnne Deborah Byron, is a former member of the Black Liberation Army and a political activist who was convicted of murder in 1977. She escaped from prison in 1979 and fled to Cuba, where she has been living ever since. In 2013, she was added to the Most Wanted Terrorists list by the US government, making her the first woman to be placed on the list.

However, Critical Race Theory and Africana Legal Studies teach us that the law is not a neutral force and is often used to uphold systemic racism and oppression. Shakur's designation as a terrorist is rooted in a racist and oppressive system that has historically targeted Black activists and leaders. By placing her on the Most Wanted Terrorists list, the US government perpetuates a system that punishes and targets Black people who dare to speak out against oppression.

Furthermore, Shakur's activism and contributions to the Black and women's liberation movements make her a significant figure in the histories of both of these groups. She was an advocate for Black liberation and a vocal supporter of women's rights. Her inclusion on the Most Wanted Terrorists list ignores and erases her contributions and struggles, as well as the struggles of other Black women who have fought against oppression.

As we celebrate Black History Month and Women's History Month, it is important to recognize and honor the contributions and struggles of historically marginalized groups. The removal of Assata Shakur from the Most Wanted Terrorists list is not only necessary but also just. It is a step towards acknowledging and rectifying the injustices that have been committed against Black people and women by the US government. We must continue to challenge and dismantle the systems of oppression that have been built on the backs of the marginalized and work towards a more just and equitable society.