Midwest Region Map

THE ORIGINS OF BLACK AUGUST

Submitted by Mashariki N. Jywanza 

N'COBRA Education Commission

Black August originated in the prisons of California to honor fallen Freedom Fighters, Jonathan Jackson, George Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain and Khatari Gaulden. Jonathan Jackson was gunned down outside the Marin County California courthouse on August 7, 1970 as he attempted to liberate three imprisoned Black Liberation Fighters: James McClain, William Christmas and Ruchell Magee.

Ruchell Magee is the sole survivor of that armed rebellion. He is the former co-defendant of Angela Davis and has been locked down for 40 years, most of it in solitary confinement. George Jackson was assassinated by prison guards during a Black prison rebellion at San Quentin on August 21, 1971. Three prison guards were also killed during that rebellion and prison officials charged six Black and Latino prisoners with the death of those guards.

These six brothers became known as the San Quentin Six. To honor these fallen soldiers the brothers who participated in the collective founding of Black August wore black armbands on their left arm and studied revolutionary works, focusing on the works of George Jackson.

In the month of August the brothers did not listen to the radio or watch television. Additionally, they didn’t eat or drink anything from sun-up to sundown; and loud and boastful behavior was not allowed. The brothers did not support the prison’s canteen. The use of drugs and alcoholic beverages was prohibited and the brothers held daily exercises because during Black August emphasis is placed on sacrifice, fortitude and discipline. Black August is a time to embrace the principles of unity, self-sacrifice, political education, physical training and resistance.

The tradition of fasting during Black August teaches self-discipline. A conscious fast is in effect FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET (or suggested from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm), this includes refraining from drinking water or liquids and eating food of any kind during that period. Some other personal sacrifice can be made as well. The sundown meal is traditionally shared whenever possible among comrades. On August 31, a People’s Feast is held and the fast is broken. Black August fasting should serve as a constant reminder of the conditions our people have faced and still confront. Fasting is uncomfortable at times, but it is helpful to remember all those who have come and gone before us, Ni Nkan Mase, if we stand tall, it is because we stand on the shoulders of many ancestors.

BLACK AUGUST DATES:
August 1619 – Arrival of first African slaves in 13 colonies
August 21, 1791 – Haiti slave uprising for independence
August 30, 1800 – Gabriel Prosser’s slave revolt discovered
August 21, 1831 – Nat Turner’s slave rebellion
August 1850 – Underground Railroad
August 17, 1887 – Birth of Marcus Garvey
August 24, 1943 – Birth of Russell “Maroon” Shoatz
August 30, 1948 – Birth of Fred Hampton
August 8, 1949 – Birth of Dr. Mutulu Shakur
August 1963 – March on Washington
August 1965 – Watts Rebellion
August 25, 1967 – FBI circulates internal order to “disrupt” Black Liberation groups
August 7, 1970 – Courthouse Slave Rebellion
August 18, 1971 – Capital of Republic of New Afrika attacked by FBI and police
August 21, 1971 – Assasination of George Jackson
August 28, 1971 – Jalil Muntaqim and Nuh Washington captured
August 8, 1978 – Police raid on MOVE
August 17, 1995 – Mumia scheduled for execution; stopped by resistance

BLACK AUGUST DOCUMENTARY BY DREAM HAMPTON (2010)                   

N’COBRA Education Commission (NEC) Takes a Stand!

INDIANAPOLIS

N'COBRA Education Commission female co-chair Mashariki N. Jywanza aka Queen Mother Awusi Noamesi II spoke at the anit-slave image rally on Saturday, July 30, 2011. The rally was held on the steps of the Indiana state house. Queen Mother Awusi represents N'COBRA Indianapolis chapter on the Citizens Against Slave Images (CASI) committee.

                Queen Mother Awusi pointed out the importance of having positive images to represent our people. "We have always fought and resisted the brutal treatment, psychological and physical, that has been inflicted upon us since we were stolen from our homeland and still affects us today. Our image today is constantly being twisted and distorted. We must take a stand so that our children, grand children and future generations with not have to wage this fight. There will be many more fights for them to fight but they will know "we" have stood up and resisted."

The city of Indianapolis announced that the proposed statue will not be erected on public space. It had been proposed by the cultural trails committee to place this image of a slave in front of the city-county building directly across from the jail. The announcement from the city is one small victory for CASI and the Indianapolis community! It was our efforts and our standing together that brought this decision about. The fight is not over we must continue to take a stand against those who stand against us! 

The NEC would like to encourage all chapters to look at the images of our people in your city and note what they are and how they are displayed. Send us your findings at jywanzak@yahoo.com

For information:  http:www.wix.com/1slave-enough/inindy    garryholland@thehistoricjourney.com

“Hidden Colors”

Sunday 7/31/11 the Indianapolis community gathered for the “Hidden Colors” documentary viewing, lecture by Kaba Hiawatha Kamene (interviewed in the documentary) and a community discussion about images and the education of our children. 

For more information garryholland@associates@thehistoricjourney.com

“The Historic Journey” curriculum

Saturday 7/30, Monday and Tuesday 8/1,2/11, Indianapolis community educators and parents participated in an in-service training for parents and community on the new k-12, culturally competent and responsive, relevant pedagogy,  academic standards (State and Federal) aligned curriculum, The Historic Journey, which has been adopted by the Indianapolis Public School District.  

For more information garryholland@associates@thehistoricjourney.com         

N’COBRA Indianapolis Education Committee advocates and supports the strategy for parents and community in-service trainings parallel to professional development for teachers and administrators in the school district.  We encourage and appreciate the partnership with Dr. White, Superintendent, and Dr. Patricia Payne, Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), for accessing parents and community to the district professional development provided by Dr. Kaba Hiawatha Kamene, who agreed to conduct the evening in-service trainings for parents and community.  We’re on the move(ment) with Education in Indianapolis.

Hidden Colors Documentary

Hotep Family, Saturday, August 13, 2011, the National Black United Front {NBUF} Milwaukee Chapter along with the Alkebulan Village sponsored the public viewing of the dynamic documentary Hidden Colors.

Hidden Colors is a groundbreaking documentary about the real and untold history of Afrikans and people of color around the globe. This film discusses some of the reasons why the contributions of Afrikans and aboriginal people have been left out of the information that has been presented to us as history. The DVD Hidden Colors also offers solutions to the many problems we have as a people. You don't want to miss this outstanding documentary. The executive producer is New York Times best selling author/radio host Tariq Nasheed.

SAVE THE DATES:  NBUF Milwaukee will host the NBUF National Convention next year 

July 12-15 2012

The Midwest Region Is About Action

by Adjoa Barbara J. Baker, Midwest Regional Rep

On June 25, 2011 during the Regional Caucus at the 22nd Annual N'COBRA Conference meeting in Chicago,  the Midwest Region had 23 present, the largest attendance in all of the last 6 Conferences.

Everyone present from MN, IL, IN, WI, was committed to doing the work for Reparations. Ideas were discussed on waking up the movement by placing Public Service Announcements in the Print & Electronic media. It was suggested we call in on the Black Radio Talk Shows with information about your upcoming organizing meeting and/or special events like Human Rights Day (Dec.10)  Kwanzaa, Marcus Garvey’s Birthday, Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago (the largest Black Parade in the U.S.A.) August 13th.  Posting literature on Bulletin Boards, in church bulletins, at Universities & Colleges:  Accept speaking engagements, where you expound on the work of Human Rights as a means to our Reparations.  Update your mailing lists & starting mailing and/or emailing or blogging the upcoming meetings and events.

Since the Conference a group of five MN residents & supporters of Reparations have met to organize a Minneapolis, MN Chapter.

Milwaukee is going to work on their proposal to host the 2013 Conference. 

The above Marketing Strategies are very important. Management is equally important.

Chicago has enjoyed the theme of Reparations Awareness.  With this theme we work on bringing new facts and updates on the struggle.  At one of our meetings, I passed out the 30 Articles of the UN's Universal  Declaration of Human Rights. Experts are invited to our monthly meetings as guest speakers.  Book Review reports and video shows are the other methods of bringing more knowledge to our community/chapter.  An agenda at each meeting allows for a well-organized meeting. Guests and members prefer a professionally run meeting.

Sustaining the membership and the movement-- The success that is going on must be announced, for example:

Business -The Chicago Black Wall Street under Chairman Ron Carter has been successful in starting over 13 different areas in Chicago and Gary, IN as Black Wall Street Districts. A resolution was passed in the State Of Illinois legislation naming 75th St. from Dan Ryan on the west to Cottage Grove on the east as a Chicago Black Wall Street District.

Criminal Justice - Another important piece of legislation, led by Attorney Stan Willis, has a Commission that is studying how the victims of police torture can receive Reparations.  Atty. Willis continues to work on a law that will provide no statute of limitation on torture victims.

Buy Black Campaign - Rev. Webb Evans, founder, is an important strategy for the economy of Black people. The UAPA goal is to buy from people who look like you to the tune of $2 Million Dollars a year.  To date UAPA has reached $990 thousand dollars.

Education - This important component of our struggle has the Black Star Project founded by Mr. Phillip Jackson, Chicago N'COBRA Lifetime Member whose motto is "Educate or Die" We regularly support the programs that Black Star Projects presents.

Homework assignments - Membership is asked to give reports on how many people they spoke to since the previous meeting;  how many elevator speeches they gave on reparations; how many people they surveyed on "What Do You Think About Reparations For People of African Descent." The one sheet survey form is available contact me at   312/720-0648. 

As an incentive to communicating our movement by surveying our people with the above survey, I am, starting in September 2011, to recognize those members who return the most survey forms each quarter.

Special Alert:  From attending The Institute for Human Rights Education & Advocacy in Minnesota, I have learned another way we should frame our fight and some additional tactics we should be using.  More to come.