Prison Radio

In a featured commentary on Black August, Mumia Abu-Jamal states:

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. August saw slaves and the grandsons of slaves strike out for their God-given right to freedom, as well as the awesome price, the ultimate price, always paid by those who would dare oppose the slave masters’ will.”

We at Prison Radio reflect upon Black August and the legacy of incarcerated revolutionaries who’ve given their lives for Black Liberation, while recognizing August as a historically significant month of “injustice and divine justice.” 

Black August (1996) – Mumia Abu-Jamal

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 political leadership and dedication to the liberation of Black revolutionaries. Jonathan was just 17 when he was killed outside the Marin County Courthouse while taking Judge Haley and 4 others hostage, to campaign for the freedom of his brother and two others, Fleeta Drumgo and John Clutchette, who were coined the Soledad Brothers after being accused of murdering a prison guard at Soledad Prison.

Black August commemorates revolutionaries who’ve given their lives inside and out of the prison, towards the goal of Black Liberation. This month also intertwines the legacy of resistance against the state with ongoing struggles toward Black liberation, demanding the release of all political prisoners and continuing to bring awareness of the conditions inside US prisons. As Mumia argues, Black August is a reminder of the history of Black struggle, from the early rebellions of Nat Turner, all the way through to George and Jonathan Jackson, and still toward a future of freedom not yet won.

Prison Radio correspondent Peter “Pitt” Mukuria calls on the legacies of Huey Newton and George Jackson when he notes “and so his 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 while inviting a historical understanding that today’s revolutionary efforts are rooted in the work of those who came before.

Black August (2021)- Peter “Pitt” Mukuria
Significance of Taking Direct Action (2021)- Peter “Pitt” Mukuria

Another Prison Radio correspondent, 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 with the ongoing struggle against the state, that honoring past Black Freedom Fighters is intricately linked to their advancement towards liberation in the present. The practices highlight the sacrifices made by the individual towards collective freedom from prison and the oppressive state. 

Black August (2021)- Sheik Bilal Abdul Salaam-Bey

Peter “Pitt” Mukuria reminds us of George’s favorite Franz Fanon quote, “The time for talking is ending. The time for action has begun.” Honoring the legacy of Black August, we at Prison Radio are moving into August with a deep appreciation and gratitude for those who gave their lives for the liberation of others. We are reminded now, more than ever, of the importance of action, of turning ideas into movement towards a liberated future.

Thanks so much!
In creative, revolutionary struggle,
Yudi Feng