dearest muse,

 

to be empowered is to claim your voice, your story, and your truth no matter the odds

few embody this more powerfully than assata shakur, whose legacy continues to remind us that empowerment is both a personal practice and a collective responsibility

this week, as we affirm i deserve to be empowered, je mérite d’être responsabilisé, we draw wisdom from assata’s resilience and vision

here are meditations, stories, and practices to help you step into your own legacy of empowerment

 

all photos are links to more information - the bookshop.org link is an affiliate link

rooted in power

close your eyes, breathe deeply, and picture yourself surrounded by your ancestors

those who fought, spoke, and dreamed so you could stand tall

with each inhale, imagine their strength flowing into you

with each exhale, carry their legacy forward

 

a meditation for building true confidence to start your day

by mindful movement

in this week's podcast, we reflect on the life of assata

the truth about her life, her vision, her work

from one of the best

marc lamont hill

 

reflecting on the life and death of assata shakur

by marc lamont hill

when have you felt silenced, and how did you reclaim your power?

write a letter to yourself, inspired by assata’s courage, affirming the ways you will continue to stand in your strength

this link includes a sales pitch

i am not endorsing this product, but the information in the blog post is fantastic

 

how to reclaim your power (even when you’ve been silenced for years)

by amanda

her powerful memoir details her life, her struggle for liberation, and her unyielding commitment to empowerment and justice

a text that continues to inspire generations

 

assata: an autobiography

by assata shakur

no film this week

unfortunately the hit film with a character inspired by assata did not do her justice

although entertaining, i would rather encourage you to hear assata's words

enjoy

 

hear black liberation activist assata shakur read her 1998 letter to pope

the black liberation activist assata shakur died on September 25, 2025, at the age of 78

she passed away in cuba, where she received political asylum in 1984 after escaping the u.s. prison system, and where she continued to reside for decades despite u.s. attempts to capture and extradite her

"the new jersey state police and other law enforcement officials say they want to see me brought to 'justice.' but i would like to know what they mean by 'justice.' is torture justice?"

"when my people receive justice, i am sure that i will receive it, too"

assata

there is no ritual this week

today and every day, we honor our truth,

the way assata would've wanted

 

today and every day, we make the decision to honor our worth, to recognize our agency, and to stand fully and proudly

each day offers opportunities to reclaim your voice, honor your boundaries, and act in alignment with your values

 

this week and every week, we encourage you to awaken the strength within you and step into your own power unapologetically

 

empowerment is a journey, not a destination

 

as you move through this week, remember that each small act of self-respect, each boundary honored, each choice made from integrity, is a step toward freedom

 

like assata, who embodied courage in the face of injustice, you too carry the legacy of resilience and the capacity to change your world

be well

 

assata shakur reminds us that empowerment is not given, it is claimed

it is the daily act of choosing to rise, even when it feels easier to shrink

it is the courage to honor your truth, to protect your peace, and to create change that ripples far beyond yourself

as you step into this week, remember, each boundary you set, each truth you speak, each dream you pursue becomes a bridge that someone else will one day cross with greater ease

you'll be hearing more from me soon

promise

 

tamara charese

as always, affirmations from previous weeks are available here