Beyond Solitary #2: ‘We Are Our Own Liberators’: Kwame Shakur on Revolution and Reactionary Reformism
In the second episode of our new series, Beyond Solitary, Kwame Shakur joins the show to talk about the need to develop inside-out revolutionary strategy, and the work already being done with that goal in mind by organizations like I.D.O.C. Watch, Prison Lives Matter, and the New Afrikan Liberation Collective.
This is the second of two episodes with members of I.D.O.C. Watch, an organization of prisoners in Indiana and outside supporters dedicated to exposing abuses by authorities in the Department of Corrections. In our first episode, we spoke with longtime political prison Shaka Shakur about the history of the prison movement in Indiana.
In this episode, Kwame shares his assessment of current struggles against police brutality, and the disconnect between the prison movement and the larger movement on the streets. Kwame also touches on the effects solitary has on prisoners’ mental health, and how restrictions implemented in the time of COVID have only exacerbated these harms.
Kwame Shakur is a New Afrikan political prisoner, currently held captive in solitary confinement, in the SHU, at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. He is the co-founder and chairman of the New Afrikan Liberation Collective, as well as the national director for the Prison Lives Matter movement. Kwame’s essays have appeared in numerous publications, including San Francisco Bay View.
Episode Resources & Notes
Write to Shaka Shakur & Kwame Shakur
Shaka Shakur:
Shaka Shakur #1996207
Buckingham Correctional Center
P.O. Box 430
Dillwyn, VA 23936
Kwame Shakur:
Michael Joyner (Kwame) #149677
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 1111
Carlisle, IN, 47838
Credits
Created by Kim Wilson and Brian Sonenstein
Hosted by anonymous, and edited by Ellis Maxwell
Website & volunteers managed by Victoria Nam
Theme music by Jared Ware
Additional music by Alicia Lopez-Torres, Remy Erkel, and Ellis Maxwell
Support Beyond Prisons
Visit our website at beyond-prisons.com
Support our show and join us on Patreon. Check out our other donation options as well.
Please listen, subscribe, and rate/review our podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Play
Join our mailing list for updates on new episodes, events, and more
Send tips, comments, and questions to beyondprisonspodcast@gmail.com
Kim Wilson is available for speaking engagements and to facilitate workshops. Please contact beyondprisonspodcast@gmail.com for more information
Twitter: @Beyond_Prison
Facebook:@beyondprisonspodcast
Instagram:@beyondprisons
