Returning Back to Ourselves: What Black August Teaches Us
by Shani Ealey, Staff Writer
August 25, 2016
It is an interesting time to be Black in America. With ever-evolving technology and the prevalence and hyper-usage of social media, we are living in a time where we see, learn and experience a lot at once. Through technology we are experiencing first-hand, the violent assault of Black lives at the hands of police officers from the very comfort of our homes and computer screens. Collectively, we mourn the loss of our children, mothers, fathers, friends, and loved ones from our timelines and newsfeeds, sometimes, more than once a day. We are witnessing the complete apathy and indifference to the lives of Black people from politicians and leaders who were given titles and wages to serve the public. With each brutal atrocity and act of indifference we uncover deeper and wider cracks in the “just” and “pristine” image of America.
Typically, our first line of action is to respond to tragedy. More often than not, we do this by demanding justice and accountability from those who have the power to reform this crooked system. But what happens when all of our energy is spent fighting a broken institution who’s committed to our perpetual exploitation and oppression? We become distracted–distracted from our communities, families and most importantly ourselves. We can’t fight anything if we are not right within ourselves, our communities and the people who hold us down. We can’t make a shift in this pattern of violence if we don’t make an intentional effort to reconnect with our ancestors and those freedom fighters who have walked this road before us. As a part of Black resilience, Black people have always created traditions and practices that work to uplift a history that has been obscured and under appreciated. Black August is one of the many resilient creations birthed out of a need to honor our struggle. Black August is about reconnecting with ourselves, our culture, and our history.
Black August was created in order to honor the lives and liberation efforts of the group known as The San Quentin Six: Jonathan Jackson, George Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain, Khatari Gaulden, and Ruchell Magee. The San Quentin Six were a group of freedom fighters who were imprisoned on trumped up charges and accused of a prison rebellion on August 21, 1971. During the political emergence of the Black Panther Party, Jonathan Jackson was murdered while attempting to liberate three imprisoned Black Liberation Fighters: James McClain, William Christmas and Ruchell Magee. George Jackson, revolutionary activist, author, and member of the Black Panther Party, was murdered during a prison rebellion at San Quentin Prison in 1971.1 The founders of Black August designated this time to study the revolutionary works of George Jackson, practice self-discipline and self-determination. This was a time “to embrace the principles of unity, self-sacrifice, political education, physical training and resistance.” 2
In essence, Black August is about returning back to ourselves.
Furthermore, the month of August is full of the revolutionary and radical light of freedom fighters who have walked this path before us. For example, thousands of Haitians, led by Toussaint l’Overture, began the largest and most successful rebellion against French white capitalists and enslavers in August of 1791.3 Their courage and resistance to the white dominant structure and system of control led to the formation of first Black Republic in the Americas. August also marks the founding of the Underground Railroad by which the courageous Harriet Tubman led hundreds of people out of the brutal bondage of the system of enslavement. In August, Nat Turner, Gabriel Prosser, and Henry Garnett all initiated rebellions and strikes against the inhumane system of enslavement marking important moments in our history. During Black August, we are encouraged to study and reflect upon these moments of resistance against the oppression of white supremacy, capitalism, and colonialism. Black August is about letting go of thoughts and patterns that no longer serve us. It is about honoring, studying, and learning from our ancestors, their lives, and way of being. Their struggle serves as that revitalizing fuel that moves us forward. Their lives remind us there is a way forward. We just have to dare to imagine a different reality.
And we have to do it collectively.
Not only must we reflect on the leaders of our past during this time, but Black August is about coming together in unity and moving toward a collective goal. Across the nation people are celebrating Black August through political education whether it be in large or small groups, listening circles, gatherings in nature, through sharing a meal or creative insights. There is no denying it. Something magical happens when we come together. With our togetherness we are able to encourage each other to see outside of the fixed lines of this system and return back to what matters most: each other. Our relationships with our communities, families, and loved ones are a life giving force. These relationships are what helps us get through challenging times and gives us hope to continue on. Black August encourages us to nurture our relationships through emphasizing the importance of unity and collective learning.
The thing is, it’s easy to become distracted and weighted down by all that is happening in the world. Thus far, 664 people have lost their lives to police, the state of California being the highest number (90 people have been killed by police).4 What is sad is that the number of people killed by police is a number that will only increase. Aside from the blatant disregard of Black lives, gentrification is happening at rapid rates working to push working class Black families out to make room for high-wage earners. Access to jobs that will pay a living wage is not easy which further exacerbates economic hardship for Black families. All of this is fueled by apathetic political leadership and a wholesale commitment to a system that no longer works.
Though it may look bleak, we are, in this very moment, creating the world that we want to live in. Community members, collectives, and other grassroots organizations across the country are taking new steps on the path toward a new way of being. Imagining new social systems and structures that are rooted in a love ethic, community, and self-determination. In this critical moment we as Black people need to step back and dare to dream of a world where we are valued, respected, and loved just as we are. The Black Organizing Project, embodies this very spirit reflected in our multi-generational Black membership and commitment to developing Black leaders. Each and every space relies on the people to share, learn and grow. Creating unique opportunities for all to ultimately transform from the inside out into a strong liberated community.
Let us continue on in the spirit of the ones who have walked this path before us. Let us take the wisdoms from their struggle and use it to help us break generational patterns and move authentically toward collective freedom.
Be encouraged, give and receive love, and continue to fuel revolutionary thought and action.
Happy Black August!
References
- “The History of Black August” The Malcolm X Grassroots Project, 8-9-2016 http://bit.ly/2aF3KDv\
- See reference 1.
- “Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)” BlackPast.org, 8-15-2016 http://bit.ly/WE6Vkz
- “The Counted” The Guardian, 8-15-2016, http://bit.ly/1SQhWZa