Black August ‘05 (Events in the Bay Area)

Black August ‘05

by JR

Black August is a time when we remember the plight of freedom fighters, behind enemy lines, who gave their lives to the cause of Black and oppressed people being free from the shackles of capitalistic slavery – people like George Jackson, Jonathan Jackson and Khatari Gaulden, to name a few. It is also a time when souljahs recommit and deepen their commitment to the Movement, realizing that ain’t nobody going to free us but us.

Black August is practiced by people in the Movement by fasting from sun up to sun down on all the days of August except on the martyr days: Aug. 2, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21, which are days when some of the most committed comrades fast completely. Exercise, organizing and study are also intensified, recognizing that we have to be of strong mind, body and soul if we are to win this 500-year battle.

Black August ‘05 will also be celebrated with two events, one on Aug. 17 at 2232 MLK Way in Oakland and a second one on Aug. 21 at 1933 Broadway in Oakland. At the Aug. 17 event, there will be African dancers, Taiko drummers, Polynesian dancers and Pomo dancers among the many acts that are scheduled to perform.

On Aug. 21, Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. of the POCC (Prisoners of Conscience Committee), Pam Africa, dead prez, the Nappy Tongues Poets from LA, Rico Pabone of Prophets of Rage, the Showstoppers, Baysho Business, Herm Lewis and XO from Under Survalence are some of the people featured at this 12-hour concert/forum. Instead of supporting Clear Channel’s Summer Jam, people need to come out and bring their friends and family to a revolutionary event where everybody is destined to learn something as well as find out how they can get involved. Free Hugo “Yogi” Pinell, Ruchell “Cinque” Magee and all political prisoners!

You can buy tickets for Black August ‘05 at Oaklandish, 411 Second St. in Oakland, at Wisdom Records on Mission and Silver in Frisco and many other locations around the Bay. I’ll see all of the souljahs there. Don’t miss out on one of the most politically relevant events of the year.

For more info, call Shaka at (510) 658-7079. Email JR at blockreportradio [at] yahoo.com.