This Black August, Americans Will Study, Fast, and Read for Black Liberation

Every August, people across the United States honor a tradition called Black August. During this month, people study Black history, fast, exercise, and push for the release of Black political prisoners. The tradition started inside California prisons in the 1970s and has spread far beyond prison walls. Today, communities in cities like Tallahassee, Durham, Oakland, and Brooklyn hold events to mark the month.

Black August began as a way to remember several young Black men who were killed in California prisons. Many of them were members or supporters of the Black Panther Party, a political group formed to fight police brutality. Inside prisons like San Quentin, these men faced attacks from a white supremacist group called the Aryan Brotherhood, and from some prison guards. To protect themselves, some of the prisoners formed a group called the Black Guerrilla Family, or BGF.

Several of the BGF's early members died at very young ages. WL Nolen was killed by San Quentin prison guards on January 13, 1970. George Jackson, who helped lead the Black Panthers inside prison, was killed at San Quentin on August 21, 1971. His brother Jonathan was killed on August 7, 1970, and Khatari Gaulden was killed on August 1, 1978. These deaths hit the group hard, and members decided they needed a way to honor their fallen friends.

Historian and author Gerald Horne said there is a 'striking confluence,' or coming together, of major events in August. On August 1, many Caribbean nations celebrate Emancipation Day, which marks the end of slavery. The Watts uprising in Los Angeles began on August 11, and Nat Turner's slave rebellion began on August 21. August is also the birth month of Marcus Garvey, Black Panther leader Fred Hampton, and activist Chokwe Lumumba.

Today, the main practices of Black August are fasting, exercising, studying, and meditating. Muntaqim explained that the 'golden objective' of Black August is to restore people's sense of humanity and their ability to resist racism and injustice. Organizations across the country hold events during this time. In Tallahassee, Florida, the Dream Defenders host a Black August showcase each year.

Black August is also a time to call for the release of Black political prisoners. Some former Black Panthers and other activists are still in prison today, even though many are now in their 70s and 80s. Mumia Abu-Jamal, Thomas 'Tahaka' Gaither, and Veronza Bowers Jr. are among those still incarcerated. Horne said that protesting their imprisonment is also a way of fighting injustice more broadly.

Reading is another big part of Black August. People are encouraged to pick up books about Black history, slave rebellions, and the fight for freedom. Popular titles include 'Soledad Brother' by George Jackson and 'How Europe Underdeveloped Africa' by Walter Rodney. Whether fasting, marching, reading, or reflecting, Black August invites everyone to learn more and do more for justice.