Black August is more than a month—it is a solemn commemoration, a historical reckoning, and a spiritual call to action. Originating in the 1970s within the California prison system, Black August honors the lives and sacrifices of Black political prisoners, freedom fighters, and the countless individuals who have
resisted systemic oppression in the struggle for Black liberation.
We remember George Jackson whose intellect and revolutionary commitment galvanized a generation. His assassination on August 21, 1971, became the flashpoint for this annual remembrance. We honor Jonathan Jackson, his brother, who was killed during a courthouse rebellion in August, 1970. We reflect on the uprisings of Attica and the many unnamed martyrs of the Black freedom movement whose lives were taken or silenced behind bars.
Black August is not about celebration—it is about education, resistance, and discipline. Traditionally, it is a time of fasting, study, and spiritual reflection. Participants read revolutionary texts, boycott consumerism, and recommit themselves to the fight against injustice in all forms.
In today’s climate, Black August continues to resonate. From the prison abolition movement to the call for reparations, from the defense of Black lives to the cultural renaissance taking place in Black communities, August serves as a reminder: the struggle is far from over.
Let us not reduce Black August to a hashtag or slogan. Let us live it. Learn from it. Be moved by it. Let us honor those who came before us by continuing their work—with courage, clarity, and commitment.
One contemporary reflection of this enduring legacy is the work of the Jeff Green Prison Arts Program in Connecticut. Founded to provide incarcerated individuals with access to creative expression and visual storytelling, the program not only uplifts the voices of the unheard, but also bridges the gap between confinement and community. In honoring Black August, initiatives like these echo the power of art as resistance and healing within the carceral system.
Black August is a time to remember. A time to resist. A time to rise. ■