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In March 1968 an organization was founded by a handful of Afro-American inmates at the Oregon State Penitentiary. At that time there were only about 30 to 40 inmates of African descent in a prison population of approximately 1,100. It was during the time of the turbulent 1960s, of discontent in the Black ghettos, dissatisfaction with the war in Vietnam and the universal struggle for freedom and self-determination of all oppressed peoples that led to the founding of UHURU.
UHURU began as, and still is, a voice for Afro-Americans at OSP. The organization initially was formed to foster awareness of Afro-American history, its culture and development as well as self-awareness and development. We had to struggle hard with the forces of racism which at that time were very much felt here at...