Black August has arrived. As usual, I sat down with some guys and explained what the origin of the month is, its purpose, and some activities people engage in during the month. It was a short conversation. I didn’t know what people would take away from it. The people I conversed with are members of street organizations. They don’t study and rarely engage other members of street organizations.
The next day, two guys, members of different street organizations, asked to meet with me. They had a proposal and wanted my feedback and support. They hashed out a four point agreement: (1) They will not fight each other or members of other street organizations. Conflicts will be resolved nonviolently and through mediation; (2) They would hold study groups at least once a week. These groups are mandatory; (3) They would exercise daily together; and (4) They will establish a kitty, a bag that contained food and hygiene products to materially support each other.
I was shocked. We talked about getting buy in from the other guys. That night, they held a meeting. Twenty people showed up and signed on to the agreement. These are members of different street organizations pledging to work together, study together and materially support each other. I did not think this would happen. This outcome is the result of the self activity of these imprisoned young men. My relationship with two of the men, the studying we have done together, was the seed. They took what they learned and are creating community behind the walls. They are exemplifying what Black August is about.
The takeaways for me are that we must do the work. Provide the container and the materials. And the people will do the rest. These guys look to me for advice. And that is all I am giving. They are doing the work. They are building community. Another takeaway is believe in the people. They know what they need and they know how to solve problems. These young men saw a problem and fashioned a solution.
I am supporting their solution. They see Black August as an opportunity to bring people together for something positive. They see Black August as a springboard for creating solidarity and community year round.
This morning, twenty young men, from two different street organizations, went to the yard and played four games of basketball. No arguments. No fights. Just laughter and camaraderie. They came back to the block feeling good, feeling like they belong to something bigger than themselves. Person after person came to me telling me how much fun they had. They have a meeting tonight. It’s mandatory. They will be studying solidarity, what it means and how to increase it behind the walls. I will be there, listening and helping when I am asked. It is truly amazing for me to see these young men coming together, studying together and building together. This is a manifestation of what Black August means.
Always,
-Stevie
Stevie Wilson is a Black, queer abolitionist who is writing, (dis)organizing, and building study groups and community behind the wall in Pennsylvania. A subscriber of The Abolitionist for a few years now, Stevie became a standing columnist of our newspaper in 2020. “9971” is his column focused on radical study for abolition named after a network of autonomous study groups behind the wall.