On this date in 1971, George Jackson was killed by prison guards. This date marks one of the catalysts for what is known amongst freedom fighters as Black August.
What is Black August? Black August started in the 1970s. On August 21, 1971, George Jackson, a prisoners’ rights movement leader was assassinated by guards during a prison rebellion in California. At the time of his assassination, Jackson was serving a one year to life sentence for stealing $70 from a gas station. He had already served 10 years, 7 of which were spent in solitary confinement.
Jackson’s assassination marked the start of what is now known as Black August, a time for collective grief and rebellion amongst freedom fighters across the nation. Today’s fight focuses on the abolition of the prison industrial complex and the state violence against marginalized groups. Other notable Black August events and figures to learn more about include the 965 Watts Rebellion, Assata Shakur, and the 2014 Ferguson Uprising.
Here are five books to read to get you started on your journey to learn more about Black August:
Note: These books are all linked to my affiliate store with Bookshop. I will continue adding to this list as I read and learn more.
1. Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur
2. Fire This Time: The Watts Uprising and the 1960s by Gerald Horne
3. A Taste of Power: A Black Woman’s Story by Elaine Brown
5. Revolutionary Suicide by Huey P Newton
I am at the start of my journey in understanding more about Black August and the fight for the abolition of prisons, so I will be learning right alongside everyone else.
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