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Here at Prison Radio we reflect upon Black August, the legacy of political prisoners who have given their lives for Black Liberation, as we recognize August as a historically significant month of “injustice and divine justice.”
The first Black August commemoration occurred in 1979, just eight years after the murder of George Jackson in San Quentin. Both George and his brother Jonathan were murdered by the state during the month of August for their action, political inspiration, and commitment to Black liberation. Jonathan was just 17 when he was killed outside the Marin County Courthouse during his seizing of Judge Haley and 4 others, as he sought to pressure the state for the freedom of his brother and the Soledad Brothers (Fleeta Drumgo and John Clutchette, prisoners accused of murdering a prison guard at Soledad Prison).
Black August celebrates resistance and highlights repression of Black liberation revolutionaries. This legacy of resistance to state violence, this bloody path toward freedom, is the context of current liberation struggles.
Prison Radio continues to amplify the voice of those targeted by the state and demands the release of all political prisoners. We seek to expose the nature and conditions of mass incarceration as part of a racial program of repression.
As Mumia Abu-Jamal tells us, Black August is a reminder of the history of Black struggle, from the early rebellions of Nat Turner, to the sacrifices of George and Jonathan Jackson, and a future of freedom not yet won.
Prison Radio correspondent Peter “Pitt” Mukuria reminds us of Huey Newton’s words which declared that George’s “spirit became a living thing because his ideas lived.” Black August celebrates the spirit of George Jackson and other revolutionaries’ ideas by honoring the lineage of liberation. Today’s self determination efforts are rooted in the work of those who came before.
Another Prison Radio correspondent Sheik Bilal Abdul Salaam-Bey says, “Black August is a time to embrace the principles of unity, self-sacrifice, political education, physical training, and resistance.” Bilal suggests that those commemorating Black August must study four hours each day, emphasizing revolutionary texts, exercise daily, fast from sunup to sundown, and not listen to the radio or music. Bilal bridges a commemoration of the past by honoring past Black Freedom Fighters with the ongoing struggle against the state. These practices highlight the sacrifices made by the individual towards collective freedom from the oppressive state.
Peter “Pitt” Mukuria brings to mind George’s favorite Franz Fanon quote: “the time for talking is ending. The time for action has begun.” We at Prison Radio are moving into August with a deep appreciation and gratitude for those who chose action and, in many cases, sacrificed their lives and freedoms for the liberation of others. We are reminded now, more than ever, of the importance of action – of turning ideas into a movement towards a liberated future.
This month should serve as yet another reminder of the vital work that political prisoners are doing from the inside each and every day. At Prison Radio, we serve as a platform to uplift the voices of those who across the nation and continue the struggle for liberation that Black August represents — a feat that we could not accomplish without your support. We thank you enormously for your generosity and contributions to the resistance.
Show your support for Black August today!
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