Renowned activist Mutulu Shakur, widely recognized as Tupac Shakur’s stepfather, has sadly passed away at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy that reverberates through the annals of history.
The news of his untimely demise was confirmed by activist Kamau Franklin on July 7, sending shockwaves through the hearts of those who admired and respected Shakur’s tireless efforts in the pursuit of justice and equality.
Mutulu Shakur’s indomitable spirit burned brightly as he played a profound role in the New Afrikan movement, leaving an indelible mark on the fight for Black liberation. As a dedicated member of the esteemed Black Liberation Army, he fearlessly challenged the oppressive systems that sought to suppress the voices of the marginalized. However, his unwavering commitment to the cause led him down a treacherous path marred by legal troubles.
In the year 1981, Shakur faced a defining moment in his life, as he was apprehended and subsequently arrested for racketeering, robbery, and murder. The weight of these charges resulted in a harrowing sentence that spanned a staggering 60 years. Yet, even amidst the confines of a prison cell, Shakur’s resilience and unwavering spirit never wavered.
While incarcerated, Shakur confronted a formidable adversary: stage 3 multiple myeloma, an insidious blood cancer that ruthlessly attacked his bones and kidneys. This battle with his own mortality only intensified when he contracted COVID-19 on not one, but two separate occasions. As his health rapidly declined, he found solace in the presence of IV feeding tubes, his lifelines in the twilight months leading up to his eventual release from the shackles of imprisonment.
In May 2022, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of a revelation by Shakur’s attorney, Brad Thomson. It was disclosed that doctors from the Federal Bureau of Prisons had delivered a heart-wrenching prognosis: Shakur’s time on this mortal coil was predicted to be less than six months. This sobering news served as a catalyst, igniting an unprecedented wave of advocacy for his freedom. Supporters rallied together, amplifying their voices and demanding that justice prevail.
Shakur’s arrest, an outcome of his alleged leadership in a group implicated in the burglary of a Brink’s armored car in New York, tragically resulted in the loss of two valiant police officers and a brave guard. However, his staunch supporters vehemently maintained that his apprehension was a targeted act, a misguided attempt by law enforcement to make an example out of him, owing to his affiliation with revolutionary Black nationalist organizations.
After enduring the arduous weight of imprisonment for 36 years, Mutulu Shakur was finally granted parole, a glimmer of light piercing through the thick veil of darkness. Stepping out into a world that had transformed in his absence, he expressed an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the newfound freedom he now embraced. Every day spent outside the confines of a prison cell became a testament to his unwavering determination and the collective effort that rallied behind him.
In a poignant and stirring January 2023 interview, Shakur bared his soul, sharing his hopes and dreams for the future. Despite the immense challenges he had faced throughout his life, he remained resolutely optimistic, his spirit unyielding. His life, an embodiment of resilience and fortitude, serves as an unwavering beacon of possibility, inspiring generations to come.
[VIA]