Black August is an invitation for us to study, organize, and commit to continuing the legacy of Black resistance. Here are three fun, easy, and community-oriented ways to celebrate Black August.
Tip 1: Black August Book Club: Start a book club with your friends. Choose a book about historic Black liberation efforts and take notes on the themes and strategies of resistance. Then, find a local Black-owned coffee shop and compare your notes over lattes.Recommended Books: “Assata: An Autobiography,” “Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography,” or “Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments.”
Tip 2: Put It Into Practice: Research a historic Black resistance strategy and put it into practice. For example, the Black Panthers had their free breakfast program. What could you and your friends organize that builds local community and offers long-term community care? It can be small and online, such as posting together.
Tip 3: Make Resistance Fun: Research the Haitian Revolution or the Montgomery Riverfront Brawl. Gather your crew, choose a story of Black resistance, and flip it into theater or improv. Share it at a park or block party. Celebrate history not just by remembering it — but by re-living it.
How are you celebrating Black August? Let’s spend Black August collaborating with friends and local organizations, remembering that resistance starts in our everyday communities.