CreativeMessAugust 5th in Montgomery, Alabama, there was a fight that placed a new vigor in the African American community. So to ride on the wave of that current event, I present to you a lesser-publicized month of celebrating blackness. August! I lived in North Carolina for four years. My 3rd year in Durham was the first time I had ever heard of Black August in the Park. I’ve been black my whole life and never heard about Black August at all.
What is Black August?
Black August is a liberation movement. It was built on the backs of abolitionists’ blood. The website https://www.theblkcollective.org/blackaugust goes in-depth about what Black August is.
An article by US News also breaks down the origin of Black August and some opinions on what it is and how to commemorate it. Center for Consitutional Rights has an article with significant events that occurred in August that contributed to black liberation.
Here are 5 things you need to know about Black August:
- Black August is a time to remember and honor Black political prisoners.
Black August is a time to remember and honor the sacrifices of Black political prisoners who have been incarcerated for their activism and resistance to racial injustice. These prisoners have been denied their freedom and their basic human rights, and they continue to fight for justice from behind bars.
- Black August is a time to learn about Black freedom struggles.
Black August is also a time to learn about the history of Black freedom struggles in the United States and beyond. This includes the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Power Movement, and the prison abolition movement. By learning about these struggles, we can better understand the challenges that Black people face and the importance of fighting for justice.
- Black August is a time to resist oppression.
Black August is a time to resist all forms of oppression, including racism, colonialism, and imperialism. We must continue to fight for a world where all people are free and equal, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or social status.
- Black August is a time to celebrate Black culture.
Black August is also a time to celebrate Black culture and the resilience of the Black community. We must continue to uplift Black voices and celebrate Black achievements.
- Black August is a time to take action.
Black August is a time to take action to create a more just and equitable world. We can do this by supporting Black political prisoners, learning about Black history, and fighting against all forms of oppression.
Black August in the Park
Black August in the Park is a celebration of blackness and not only of our past but our present and future. It takes place in “a community celebration to creatively inspire and connect black people.” More specifically it takes place in Durham, North Carolina. Can you believe it?! A full-blown, for us by us, cause I’m blackity-black, celebration. I never knew there was anything besides Afropunk and, more recently Juneteenth.
The Future of Black August
The future of Black August is up to us. What will we do to keep the legacy of the movement alive? August is to celebrate how far we’ve come in the liberation of our people. However, it’s also to remember the skinfolk and kinfolk that are still in chains. Political prisoners, those incarcerated by the state, and those we’ve lost in the fight of equality and equity, we fight for them and commemorate for them. Black August in the Park is local to North Carolina, but it doesn’t have to be. The “Montgomery Brawl” or the “Sweet Tea Party” can be the momentum we need to make Black August a national celebration for us by us.