by Jeremy Busby
I remember the year I met Kevin “Soul Train” Kincy and Derrick “Hasan Shakur” Frasier. It was 1999, the most transformative period of my life. I had just been sentenced to 75 years in prison after barely surviving the shocks and strains of the slum dwelling I grew up in.
Soul Train and Hasan Shakur, who were both on Texas Death Row, took me under their wings, and showed me the power of true comradeship and organizing.
Bitter, angry, and troubled with my physical incarceration, I found joy, purpose and freedom in the community and movement-building principles these two beautiful brothers instilled within me through deeds, not words. Working with others to build power to change the conditions of incarcerated individuals has become a defining attribute of the next 26 years of my life.
This year, 2026, marks 20 years since the state of Texas murdered both of these brother by injecting poison into their veins.
While their physical presence is no longer here, their fighting spirits, love for the people, and unwavering belief in power through unity still exists within the countless people, like myself, who came into contact with them.
Normally inside these concentration camps labeled as “prisons,” the occupants are separated by what city one came from, race, ideological or religious preferences. Soul Train and Hasan Shakur were immune to these destructive social constructs. Through action, they both taught me and anyone else who might be watching that you can blossom from where you are. That true power-building comes from possessing real genuine relationships with all oppressed people. Instead of bickering about what town one sprung from or which religious doctrine was right, these two kindred-spirited brothers focused on educating the masses on identifying the source of their social and political problems. Next, they identified viable solutions and strategies. Finally, they embraced their leadership roles and mobilized the people into action through meaningful campaigns that secured concrete change.
These core concepts were implemented when Hasan Shakur cofounded the Human Rights Coalition, when we all created DRIVE, and Unity In Masses, all served as solid platforms to resist tyranny and usher in true liberation. They currently serve as the guiding light for the nonprofit I organized, Join Jeremy, that’s committed to empowering incarcerated journalists and their published works. No resistance, no change!
Soul Train would end each one of his correspondences with this reminder, “EDUCATE, EDUCATE! ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE! MOBILIZE, MOBILIZE!”
Hasan Shakur’s signature sign-off was, “DARE TO STRUGGLE, DARE TO WIN!”
In a time where over 2 million people in this country are incarcerated, political prosecution, dissent persecution, unchecked authoritarian rule, state sponsored violence, corruption, pollution, free speech infringement, poverty criminalization, and endless acts of inhumanities are rampant, I bring Soul Train and Hasan Shakur’s messages to you now.
EDUCATE, EDUCATE! ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE! MOBILIZE, MOBILIZE! If it only your cellmate, partner or a small study group, invest in their understanding of the challenges that we are confronted with, identify solutions to those challenges and pave a way to bring about a positive change. There is no such thing as unfertile soil. Blossom wherever you are, soldier!
DARE TO STRUGGLE, DARE TO WIN! There are victories to be gained for those who are brave enough to work for them. You can never get more energy out of a system than you are willing to put into it. You can make a difference for yourself and those around you by using whatever tools you have to dismantle cruelty, oppression, and injustice.
Each one, reach one, teach one. In the loving memories of those who have given their lives to the cause of helping others, they can never bury the Sun!
Long Live Kevin “Soul Train” Kincy and Derrick “Hasan Shakur” Frasier!!!
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