Mumia Abu-Jamal: Samiya Abdullah Makes Transition (includes a song)

AUDIO COMMENTARY: http://tinyurl.com/p6zlzjr

Dear Brothers, Sisters, Comrades, & Friends,

The inhumanity of being separated from your family weighs heavily on every prisoner.  For Mumia, held in solitary, with non-contact visits for 30 years, it was and is heart wrenching. We are saddened to share the news that Samiya “Goldi” Davis Abdullah, daughter of Wadiya Jamal and Mumia Abu-Jamal, passed away earlier yesterday after a long fight with breast cancer.  Born in 1978, she was just 36 years old.  She had just finished a Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania and is survived by two young daughters. (Seen here on picture at left Goldi visits Mumia in 1981 at Graterford as he was awaiting trial.) In one of the most moving and personal pieces that he has written Mumia describes her visit to him when he was in solitary confinement on death row at SCI Greene.  “The Visit” is in his first book Live From Death (Harper Perennial) and was recreated in movie “Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary.”

Known as “Goldi”, her stage name, Samiya was a rapper of lyrical grace and sharp, pointed consciousness, one who used her spoken word skills to highlight issues of racial inequality, criminal (in)justice, and always to promote Black liberation.  From a daughter’s perspective, she was a dynamic spokesperson, speaking stirringly of the impact incarceration has on children and families.  She was also a staunch advocate on behalf of her father’s innocence.  The irregularities of his trial and sentencing were also subjects she rapped on.  She raps on this track “Mumia 911” produced by Frank Sosa. Artists involved included Unbound Allstarts project. LISTEN HERE to her song and just above to Mumia 12/19 essay and song for her.