Hey, friend
My name is Anthony, and I’m a Field Organizer with Pennsylvania Stands Up. I’m here to deliver a message on behalf of Black August. For those who already observe, it is a message of Solidarity, and for others, an introduction. Black August is Black Herstory, History, and Theirstory.
August is a month filled with dates of extreme importance to the Black Liberation struggle. Spanning Emancipation Day (Aug 1) to Fred Hampton’s birthday (Aug 30), August is Black History/Herstory/Theirstory, an aspect that is often ill spoken of, if at all. Observing Black August is how we collectively change that.
America’s Black Holocaust Museum defines Black August as “an annual commemoration observed primarily in the United States to honor the lives and struggles of Black revolutionaries and activists. It is a time to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices made by those who fought for racial justice and liberation.”
Black August started in the California penal system in the 1970s as a way to honor the political prisoners and slain Freedom Fighters of the Black Liberation struggle. It is a time to reflect on where we are, how we got here, and why we struggle. It is a time for us to draw renewed strength and commitment to the struggle.
“August – a month of injustice and divine justice; of repression and righteous rebellion; of individual and collective efforts to free the slaves, and break the chains that bind us.” Mumia Abu-Jamal
Remembering our history is the medicine we need to combat the sickness that says Black people and Africans have been meek by-products of theirstory/history/herstory. It is a cure to the cancer that tells us we benefited from colonization and chattel slavery. Black August demands we know that we are the makers of OUR own herstory/theirstory/history, through OUR fight to overthrow OUR colonial oppression/slavery.
It’s not a celebration. It’s a commitment to Fast, Train, Study, and Fight! These are the four tenets of Black August.
Fast– (Sacrifice) What are you willing to sacrifice to honor your Ancestors?
Train– (Prepare) Are you physically prepared to take action? How can you best build your body up for YOUR role in the resistance?
Study– (Learn) What books are you reading? What podcasts are you listening to? How are you feeding your mind? Are you learning the true history of our struggle? More importantly, who are you and how do you show up for your community?
Fight– (Do) What physical action will you take to honor your Ancestors? What does fighting back look like to you?
I ask that you commit yourself this month to the four tenants of Black August to the best of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual abilities. Study as much as you can, especially about who you are and what you care about. Fast what you feel would honor your Ancestors- it should be a worthwhile sacrifice. Train your Body, Mind, and Soul to be the person you want to become. Fight by using every aspect of who you are to inform the actions you perform in this world. These tenets are individual commitments, but I encourage you to practice them communally.
Black August is a time for us to realize we stand on the shoulders of giants. There are those who are, and have been, organizing in some of the most repressive and oppressive environments imaginable (i.e US prison concentration camps). The Freedom Fighters of the past have outlined the radical nature of our struggle. We walk the path that they trailblazed. Their individual memories become a living Force through OUR collective observation.
As stated by Assatta Shakur in her autobiography:
“Any Black person in ameriKa, if they are honest with themselves, have got to come to the conclusion that they don’t know what it feels like to be free. We aren’t free politically, economically, or socially. We have very little power over what happens in our lives. In fact, a Black person in ameriKa isn’t even free to walk down the street. Walk down the wrong street, in the wrong neighborhood at night, and you know what happens.”
These words ring just as true now as they ever have. Assata’s observation is now OUR observation in these modern times. The lessons our Ancestors learned in the struggle point towards the direction OUR current fight must head. That is the power of Black August. We must commemorate the Sacrifices of those Black Freedom Fighters.
They have labeled our Freedom Fighters terrorists. Observing Black August rejects that, and I draw inspiration and strength from the lessons I learned through their stories. That is the power of building a person up- so that they may build the next person up. Each one, reach one. Each one, teach one. That is the power of organization.
The ultimate goal in observing and Commemorating Black August is Black Liberation. Liberation requires organization. That is why I ask you to commit to getting involved with an organization fighting for justice for all of humanity, wherever you may find yourself. I invite you to start your organization journey by solemnly learning about and observing Black August as a way to commemorate those who laid the groundwork for us today.
We Honor The Ancestors.
Sources:https://blackaugustpo.org/about-black-august/; BGA; ABHM