Black August, Its History, & Notable Figures #BlackAugust

Black August is an annual recognition of Black freedom fighters, political prisoners, and key figures who fought against racism, bigotry, and oppression. With nearly five decades in existence, Black August and its grand purpose is more important than ever to acknowledge and uphold these inspirational figures—and the notable names below are worth examining. Black August’s roots can be traced back to 1979 in San Quentin Prison in California, with the Black Guerilla Family stating that the month was to commemorate the 1971 death of activist and author George Jackson and his brother, Jonathan Jackson. The eldest of the Jackson brothers, George was arrested in 1960 for robbing a Los Angeles gas station of $71 dollars, and was given the harsh sentence of one year to life, and he spent the rest of his days behind bars. Jackson befriended W.L. Nolen, who exposed Jackson to the texts of Karl Marx, Mao Zedong, and Vladimir Lenin. This moment radicalized Jackson, later co-founding the Black Guerilla Family with Nolen. The pair were later transferred to Soledad State Prison with Fleeta Drumgo and John Clutchette. The men were housed in the notorious maximum security “O Wing” designed to rob th...