All About Heart: Coming to Know Mumia Abu-Jamal

On the day of Brother Mumia’s heart surgery

Today I want to tell you about what might be one of the most profound experiences I’ve had in my twenty-five years in activist circles: the connection I’ve developed with Mumia Abu-Jamal since 2015. Mumia, as many of you know, is a freedom fighter, writer, and journalist who was with the Black Panther Party and a supporter of MOVE in Philadelphia. Mumia has been incarcerated since since the early 1980s.

For various reasons, as I’ll explain, I’ve had to hold this story close to the chest. And I won’t say everything here. But at last I’ll be able to talk more freely, as I’ve been given clearance by those working close to him.

Let me first say what motivated this essay.

Today (April 19) Mumia is undergoing open heart surgery, and many of his supporters are reflecting on his life and what we have learned from him, as we wish him well today. Please consider writing him a letter to show your love and solidarity (go here for address and my pitch).

Now that you’ve written your note, let me tell you my story. In 2015, I came to learn of the efforts of many other faculty members at my university, The Ohio State University, that Mumia was interested in entering a Ph.D. program here —fulfilling a desire of his to get a formal degree.

To be part of this process was incredible — can you imagine getting a note asking you to give comments on the…