Reflecting Upon Black August

Black August is a remembrance of the struggle that the black community has faced throughout American history. It is the time for those that relate to the liberation of African-Americans to remember all the people, including activists, organizers, and freedom fighters, that sacrificed their own lives during that fight for freedom and equality.

Black August, which was started in the 1970s by Black freedom fighters in prisons across California, was originally meant to recognize all the Black political prisoners that were killed off by the state, spread community awareness about the inhumane conditions they faced in prisons, and honor the history of Black resistance against the oppressive government and anti-Black laws.

During the first official Black August, which took place in August 1979, a few brothers and family members decided to study the revolutionary works of Black activists throughout history while fasting for the month of Ramadan. During this period of enlightenment, they made sure to prevent themselves from being distracted; radios and televisions were turned off, eating and drinking were forbidden from sunrise to sunset, offensive behavior was not allowed, and the drinking of alcohol, as well as drug use, was prohibited. From the beginning to the end of the month, they held exercises to sharpen their minds in honor of self-sacrifice and inner peace to continue the African struggle for liberation and equality. Since then, Black August has become a time for all of us, including those that are not African-American, to embrace the principles of unity, self-sacrifice, and resistance against discrimination and hate.

As a human rights organization based in New York that advocates for immigrant families of all races, Families for Freedom would like to take the time to join the remembrance movement of Black August and honor all the contributions that black freedom fighters and activists have made toward the liberation of the black community.

Best,

Families for Freedom