This Black August, Americans will study, meditate, fast, exercise, and read for Black liberation

Black August is a tradition observed in the United States, particularly within Black communities, as a time for study, reflection, fasting, and physical activity. Its origins trace back to the 1960s and 1970s in California, a period of significant political activism and repression. The Black Panther Party, an organization formed to combat police brutality, faced opposition from figures like Ronald Reagan, then governor of California.

During this era, several Black men within the California prison system, including at San Quentin, were targeted by the white supremacist group Aryan Brotherhood and complicit guards. In response to these attacks and murders, some incarcerated individuals, such as George Jackson, decided to unite for self-defense. They formed the Black Guerrilla Family (BGF), a group with Marxist-Leninist principles.

Tragically, many early BGF members, some still in their early twenties, did not survive into the 1980s. WL Nolen was killed by guards on January 13, 1970. George Jackson died in San Quentin prison on August 21, 1971. His brother, Jonathan Jackson, was killed on August 7, 1970, and Khatari Gaulden died in San Quentin on August 1, 1978. These losses were deeply felt by the BGF.

Jalil Muntaqim, a community organizer and former Black Liberation Army member, explained that the BGF decided to honor the memory of their fallen comrades, Jonathan, George, and Khatari. This commemoration led to the establishment of what became known as Black August. The name reflects the month in which many of these significant events and deaths occurred.

Over time, Black August has expanded beyond prison communities and is now observed by both incarcerated and non-incarcerated individuals. It serves as a period for dedicated activism, learning, and meditation. A key focus is advocating for the release of aging Black political prisoners, many of whom are now in their 70s and 80s and have been imprisoned for decades.

Today, various organizations nationwide utilize Black August to energize their local communities. Events like the Black August showcase in Tallahassee, Florida, and Black August in the Park in Durham, North Carolina, which combines music, dance, and film with educational content, are held annually. In Oakland, California, the Black August Arc of Liberation Commemoration uses art to honor the legacy of Black August. Organizations like the Free Black Women’s Library in Brooklyn also host events and reading challenges.

Historian Gerald Horne points out the significant convergence of historical events in August, including Emancipation Day in the Caribbean, the Watts uprising, Nat Turner’s rebellion, and the Haitian revolution. It is also the birth month of influential figures like Marcus Garvey and Fred Hampton. This confluence underscores August’s importance in Black history and the ongoing struggle for liberation.

Muntaqim emphasizes that Black August emerged from a movement driven by a profound need for self-defense against systemic harm within the American penal system. The BGF members recognized the significance of August, noting the many important births, deaths, and historical events that occurred during this month. They decided it deserved special recognition.

The tradition evolved into a practice of fasting, exercise, study, and meditation throughout August. Muntaqim describes this as a way to restore one's humanity and strengthen the ability to resist oppressive systems such as white supremacy, racial capitalism, colonialism, and imperialism. Black August has grown into a national and international institution.

The commemoration continues to be a crucial platform for discussing the freedom of Black political prisoners, many of whom are elderly and in declining health. Figures like Mumia Abu-Jamal remain incarcerated. Horne argues that protesting the continued imprisonment of individuals like Abu-Jamal is a protest against injustice itself, which, if left unaddressed, can spread and threaten everyone.

Black August also fosters international solidarity. Muntaqim states that it builds a foundation for resistance against oppression worldwide and strengthens relationships with people globally, demonstrating a collective capacity to resist injustice.