Assata: An Autobiography

On April 8, 1978, Shakur was transferred to a maximum-security prison for women in Alderson, West Virginia—a facility intended to house “the most dangerous women in the country” (253), including the women of the Manson family and members of the Aryan sisterhood who were known for their attacks on Black prisoners. These inmates left Shakur alone because she made it clear she would fight back.

Despite antagonism from the white supremacist inmates, Shakur also befriended Rita Brown, a white lesbian feminist activist from the George Jackson Brigade. Shakur liked Rita because, unlike many other white feminists, Rita understood that race, class, and gender were not separate issues. According to Shakur, Rita “really practiced sisterhood” (254).

One of the most profound meetings Shakur had in prison was her encounter with Puerto Rican nationalist and political prisoner, Lolita Lebrón, which she called “one of the greatest honors of my life” (255). She admired Lebrón for her refusal of parole until her comrades were also freed. They did not agree on issues of religion, as Shakur rejected the Christian theology that played a role in Lebrón’s anticommunist political beliefs. However, Shakur came to understand the significance of religion in Lebrón’s political development and defended her when others attacked her for it.