Black August began in the California prison system in the 1970s as a month of reflection, study, and action to honor the lives of Black freedom fighters—many of them incarcerated or killed for their resistance.[1] It emerged as a tribute to George Jackson, assassinated by prison guards in 1971, and to those who died in the struggle against racial oppression.[2]
For decades, Black August has been a time to remember, to learn, and to recommit ourselves to liberation. It is not a celebration—it is an observance rooted in sacrifice, political education, and collective action.
But the history of Black August is not only about prisons—it’s about the systems of control that continue to target and harm Black communities today.
Where Black August Meets Disability Justice
Disability Justice[3] teaches us that no movement for liberation is complete without centering those most impacted—people at the intersections of race, disability, gender, and class. Black disabled people have always been part of the struggle, yet our stories are often erased from the narrative.
From Harriet Tubman, whose disability shaped her strategies for liberation, to contemporary activists resisting police violence, Black disabled leaders have stood at the front lines.[4] And yet, Black disabled bodies are still disproportionately policed, surveilled, and killed.
The link between incarceration, policing, and disability is undeniable:
– More than half of people killed by police in the United States have a disability.
– Black disabled people face higher rates of incarceration due to systemic racism and ableism embedded in education, healthcare, and employment systems.
– Policing often criminalizes disability—turning mental health crises, mobility aid use, or communication differences into perceived “threats.”
Black August asks us to remember that liberation work without Disability Justice leaves too many behind.
2020 and Now: The Political Climate Then and Today
In 2020, the world witnessed an uprising after the murder of George Floyd—an uprising where Black disabled people were both leading and impacted. We protested while navigating a pandemic that put disabled lives at heightened risk.[5] We called for an end to police violence, systemic racism, and the stripping away of basic human rights.
Fast forward to 2025, and the political climate feels eerily familiar—yet in some ways, even more dangerous. Across the country:
– Voting rights are under attack through voter suppression laws that especially harm disabled voters of color.
– Social safety nets such as Medicaid and SNAP are being slashed, removing lifelines for millions.
– New laws are being passed to criminalize protest and dissent, with no consideration for accessibility in political participation.
The parallels between 2020 and now are not a coincidence—they reveal a cycle of state violence and neglect. Without sustained commitment, hard-fought gains can be rolled back. Black August calls us to resist that rollback.
Moving Forward: Our Call to Action
Black August is not just about remembering—it’s about recommitting. It’s about understanding that racial justice and Disability Justice are inseparable. It’s about refusing to let the names of those lost fade into history without changing the conditions that killed them.
This month, we honor our freedom fighters by:
– Learning about the history of Black August and the role of Black disabled activists.
– Supporting Black disabled-led organizations and mutual aid networks.
– Advocating for the dismantling of policing systems that criminalize disability and poverty.
– Creating accessible spaces for protest, organizing, and healing.
Liberation requires all of us—and it will take all of us.
You can continue the conversation by downloading our resource and discussion guide here.
Footnotes
[1] Berger, D., & Losier, T. (2018). Rethinking the American prison movement. Routledge. Retrieved from: https://www.academia.edu/102043781/Rethinking_the_American_Prison_Movement
[2] Jackson, G. (1990). Blood in my eye. Black Classic Press. Retrieved from: https://files.libcom.org/files/2022-08/BloodInMyEye_text_0.pdf
[3] Berne, P. (2015). Disability Justice – A working draft. Sins Invalid. Retrieved from: https://webable.com/articles/disability-justice-a-working-draft-by-patty-berne-sins-invalid/
[4] Schalk, S. (2022). Black disability politics. Duke University Press. Retrieved from: https://uplopen.com/reader/books/pdf/10.1515/9781478092681
[5] Perry, D. M., & Carter-Long, L. (2016). The Ruderman white paper on media coverage of law enforcement use of force and disability. Ruderman Family Foundation. Retrieved from: https://rudermanfoundation.org/white_papers/media-coverage-of-law-enforcement-use-of-force-and-disability/
[6] Mingus, M. (2017). Access intimacy, interdependence, and disability justice. Leaving Evidence. Retrieved from: https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com/2017/04/12/access-intimacy-interdependence-and-disability-justice/
