The month of August is a time where thousands of black people inside and outside of prison commemorate Black August to honor fallen freedom fighters in the black liberation movement. Today, we explore the history and significance of Black August and the continued incarceration of black bodies inside prison. Host Cat Brooks interviews Mama Ayanna Mashama, co-founder of the Black August Organizing Committee, about its historical origins and practices.
Then, we speak with Troy Williams about his experience with incarceration and the human rights that prisoners deserve. Williams is editor of the San Francisco Bay View newspaper and was incarcerated for 25 years in juvenile and adult facilities. He is a featured speaker at the Millions for Prisoners Human Rights March in San Jose on August 19, 2017.
But first, as part of our continuing coverage of hate speech and white extremism, we begin today’s show with a conversation with Frank Meeink, former neo-Nazi, author of Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead, and co-founder of Life After Hate, a nonprofit organization run by former extremists, which helps people disengage from the white supremacist movement.