We Want Freedom | Mumia Abu-Jamal

We Want Freedom: A Life in the Black Panther Party

Extended Synopsis

In We Want Freedom, Mumia Abu-Jamal, internationally known for his radio broadcasts and writings from death row, combines his memories of day-to-day life in the Black Panther Party with a profound analysis of Black liberation struggles. Having helped found the Philadelphia branch of the Party in his youth, Abu-Jamal applies a critical and poetic gaze to examine one of the most revolutionary and misrepresented groups in United States history.

Featuring a compelling introduction by Kathleen Cleaver, this newly revised and updated edition connects historical dots to contemporary movements like Black Lives Matter, noting the Panthers' early implementation of legal observers and demands for an immediate end to police brutality. By focusing on the everyday men and women of the Party, and locating their struggle within a centuries-old fight for freedom, Abu-Jamal delivers a vivid, essential testament to the legacy of the Black Panther Party.

Perfect For

This profound memoir and historical analysis is perfect for students of civil rights history, social justice organizers, and readers interested in the grassroots realities of the Black Panther Party. It is an essential text for anyone studying systemic racism, criminal justice reform, and the enduring legacy of Black liberation movements in America.

Author Biography

Mumia Abu-Jamal is an award-winning journalist and the author of several books, including Live from Death Row and Death Blossoms, which address prison life from a critical and spiritual perspective. In 1981, he was elected president of the Philadelphia chapter of the Association of Black Journalists. His 1982 murder trial and subsequent conviction have raised considerable controversy and international criticism regarding alleged constitutional violations. Despite decades of imprisonment on death row, Abu-Jamal has continued to fight for his freedom and his profession, earning a BA from Goddard College and an MA from California State University, Dominguez Hills. His books have sold over 100,000 copies and have been translated into seven languages.

Related Titles

• Live from Death Row by Mumia Abu-Jamal
• Death Blossoms: Reflections from a Prisoner of Conscience by Mumia Abu-Jamal
• All Things Censored by Mumia Abu-Jamal

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