August 9, 2020
When we think of the month of August many think of Back to School, but during this time of the unheard of Black/African American voices it is time that we center this month not only about Back to School but also acknowledge the importance of Black August and its significance to many of us.
For those who don’t know the history of Black August, it honors Freedom Fighters such as, Jonathan Jackson, George Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain, and Khatari Gaulden, who all were imprisoned and became victims of the penal system. Although Black August originated from the prisons in California it soon became known and practiced among many Black organizations around the nation.
However, Black August is not essentially pivot around George Jackson and others but embraces history taking place in the month of August. According to President Isaiah Phillips of the Black Student Union at Long Beach State he believes, “Black August represents the divine strength and will our people have. From George and Jonathan Jackson, Marcus Garvey, Nat Turner to even the Watts Rebellion it shows the everlasting fight our people have against the enemy we have.”
While looking at the month of August there are many significance. For example, on August 2, 1850 the Underground Railroad was created, in August 1965 the Watts rebellions took place. Influential individuals such as Nat Turner, led a slave rebellion that started on August 21, 1831, and Pan-Africanist Leader Marcus Garvey was born on August 17,18877.
As we start to make the voices of Black/African Americans be heard and make aware of the culture it is important that we continue to educate and recondition ourselves during these times. Professor Dr. Keith Claybrook of Africana Studies at Long Beach State states, “Black August is a focused time to study and honor past struggles for freedom and freedom fighters. In addition, it is a time for re-energizing and re-committing to our continued struggle for freedom.” We must use this time to educate ourselves, acknowledge those who fought for our freedom, and continue to share our history. We must maintain and not create this as a moment in life but a tradition.
Kyla Johnson, Communications Director
CSU Long Beach
