Tag: Sophia Dawson

A testament to the human spirit and revolutionary resilience, this story is shared in two enlightening elements – Susie Day’s tender interview with K’Sisay Sadiki, daughter of Black Panther Kamau Sadiki, and Day’s illuminating commentary about Kamau Sadiki, the BPP and COINTELPRO, and the system’s attempts to crush the vital, wholeheartedly participatory lives of deeply-bonded father and daughter, committed to themselves, each other and the people.

Dr. Mutulu Shakur is a legendary figure in the current-day Black Power/New Afrikan freedom struggle in the U.S. He has been a political prisoner, behind enemy lines, for over three decades. The Hip Hop community will know him most for being the father of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur, as well as being the spiritual and political mentor to Mutulu Olugbala aka M1 of legendary revolutionary rap group dead prez.

His name is Veronza Bowers Jr., a former member and captain of the original Black Panther Party. After more than 44 years in prison, 14 years beyond his mandatory release date, Veronza has faith that with his Freedom Team of top lawyers and the love of multitudes of supporters around the world, he will win his freedom soon. Political prisoners are kept in prison when the “law enforcers” they opposed decades ago carry grudges they pass down the generations, vowing those prisoners will die in prison. But the words of little Pharoah Dawson, who wrote, “Veronza, don’t die in prison!” are more powerful.

Sophia Dawson is an artist I met in Harlem, New York, at this year’s Black Panther Film Fest, where she had a striking painted piece of Black Panther co-founder and Chairman Bobby Seale. I have seen a lot of dope, conscious-minded Black visual artists over the years; she is definitely one of the more talented ones.