Prison comrades become fathers the same day

There really IS life after prison

Rashad Price (Mabu Shakur) and Eugene Thomas were close friends in Georgia prisons for many years. They organized so effectively that officials constantly separated them.

Now both are free, doing well and still keeping in touch – Rashad in his home state of Texas and Eugene in Georgia. Hear what these proud fathers have to say:

Baby-Akir-Touré-dad-Rashad-Price-Baby-Jamaah-Shakirah-dad-Eugene-Thomas-on-their-bday-021516-300x161, Prison comrades become fathers the same day, Abolition Now!
On their birthday, Rashad holds his son, Akir Touré, born at 4:05 p.m. on Feb. 15, as Eugene holds his daughter, born at 3:51 a.m. on Feb. 15.

Rashad Price (Mabu Shakur): I remember the detective on my case swore to me upon my arrest that not only would I never see daylight but that I would never experience a woman in my life ever again. He meant prison for life.

Fifteen years later, I look my son in the eyes for the first time and smile. It feels triumphant. Not only am I a father but I am a state and federally licensed commercial plumber. I am in the local trade union. I receive a competitive wage I’m proud of with benefits. On Saturdays I attend school from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

I’m studying the science of plumbing as it applies to medicine. By my graduation, commercial plumbers are projected to earn up to $40 an hour. It’s a long way from slaving in a Georgia chain gang for a cold bologna sandwich. Anyhow, I feel successful, yet my life is still in a process of growth.

I feel blessed knowing that some of my friends who were released after me found themselves confined once again that very year, some even on death row this time.

I want all brothers to know that the only difference between brothers like comrade Eugene along with myself and them is that I remember specifically 10 years ago Eugene and I drew up plans in our minds and hearts and we spoke those plans daily. We shielded those plans from any naysayers.

I came home on Sept. 13, 2013. I had served 13 years. For our political views, Eugene and I we were often transferred from camp to camp.

Once paroled, I still had two years of parole to complete. I successfully completed it and kept it moving on my normal routine. I didn’t change anything just cause I was on paper.

I live in Houston, Texas, where I was born and raised. I have a great deal of family love and support.

Sure, once we came home, we faced adversity and judgments, but we kept it in stride. Take it one day at a time and stay in your own lane and everything will play out just right. Uhuru!

Eugene Thomas (Jama M. Shakur): Peace to all! Twenty-two years ago, I was convicted in Columbus, Ga. (Muscogee County) of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years. At that time I was 21 years old.

I had no clue, thought, foresight – not an inkling of what I or even my life would be like in 20 years. Honestly, I didn’t even know if I’d be living 20 years from that date.

But nevertheless, I’m here with perfect health, a sound mind, an enlivened spirit! I am fortunate to have a legitimate form of steady income. I have plans of going back to school to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Library Sciences.

But, of all the fortunes and blessings I have, there are two that are beyond compare: my mother and my daughter. On Feb. 15, 2016, at 3:51 a.m., God entrusted me with my very, very first child, and my namesake. As my name is Jama M. Shakur, her name is Jama’ah Shakirah. Be assured, dear readers, that she will be reared to carry on the fight!