John,
August 21st marks one of the most significant days of Black August and Black resistance. On this date in 1971, comrade George Jackson's life was stolen by San Quentin prison guards. On August 21, 1831, Nat Turner was divinely inspired to initiate the most successful revolt of enslaved people in American history. August 21, 1791 marks the beginning of the Haitian Revolution, when thousands of African people rose up to overthrow chattel slavery in Haiti and claim Black autonomy.
Black Lives Matter grounds itself in the generations-long struggle for Black freedom. We claim a grounding in the Black radical tradition and seek to honor the Spirit of the mighty warrior Ancestors with our work. We are indebted to Black August visionaries and forebears who continue to fight for our collective freedom.
Here are some ways to commemorate the day and engage in Black August:
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ATTEND the virtual Black August presentation led by Black August Los Angeles TODAY (Friday, August 21, 2020) at 5 p.m. PT at youtube.com/BlackAugustLA
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SIGN AND SHARE the petitions to free political prisoners Ruchell Magee, Imam Jamil Al-Amin, and Dr. Mutulu Shakur.
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WRITE messages of hope, love, and support to Ruchell Magee, the longest held political prisoner in the U.S:
Ruchell Magee #A92051 #T 115
California Medical Facility
P.O. Box 2000
Vacaville, CA 95696-2000
May the words below, penned by our Black August Resistance comrades, deepen our understanding and commitment to Black freedom.
The month of August is historically abundant in epoch moments of Afrikan strife, conflict, accomplishments, and resistance. As such, it's importance should be embraced, acknowledged, documented and shared across the globe.
Those who respect, admire and practice the tradition of Black August should embrace the core purpose of its creation, to honor fallen comrades within California gulags and rededicate our commitment to Afrikan liberation, established and consummated by the Black August Resistance Collective.
We support the inclusion and promotion of all significant and noteworthy Afrikan historical events occurring during the month of August as part of the Black August legacy. Ownership of this legacy belongs to Afrikan people, but with that ownership comes the responsibility to maintain the integrity of the sacred tenets of its origin and the connection to those who created it, and, understanding the political development of the cadre behind the walls into the new man has come at the cost of their freedom and lost lives.
Black August beyond the primary purpose for development, is a time for reflection on past, present and future struggles for the liberation of Afrikan people and solidarity with other righteous struggles of oppressed people across the globe. It is not a celebration or salebration.
As recently embraced, popularized, and encapsulated by Black Lives Matter - Fast, Study, Train and Fight is part of the core practice. Maintaining a personal journey to document your daily activity will help you gauge your capacity to endure the most arduous part of the practice and strengthen your determination to be successful and disciplined.
Black August Resistance Collective
