by Edwin Argueta & Seemab Hussaini
Black August is more than a month of remembrance, it’s a time to honor Black freedom fighters, revolutionaries, and activists who have stood up against racism and injustice. It’s also a moment to reflect on how we, too, can fight for change in our communities. As Malcolm X once said, “We wake up, we clean up, and we stand up.”
Today, we continue to face escalating threats to our freedom by the current administration. From families being separated and community members being detained without cause, to public funds being handed over to the wealthy, the chaos around us is real. It’s not just about bad policies, it’s also about systems that harm our people and communities.
Malcolm X’s mission was clear: tell the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. He wanted people to see injustice clearly and do something about it. If he were here today, he’d urge us to:
Speak out against racism, mass incarceration, and inequality.
Be honest with yourselves and actively reject watered-down stories that make injustice seem normal.
Take control of our own stories, education, and safety, without relying on systems that harm us.
Build solidarity with oppressed people of the world, from Latin America to Palestine.
Turn anger into action by building strong communities, starting cooperatives, and creating real political power.
Black August is not just about looking back. It’s about rising up right now with truth, courage, and community power. Let’s move beyond symbolic gestures and toward lasting change. Because as Malcolm would remind us: freedom isn’t given, it’s taken.
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