THIRD WARD, Houston, TX — On a scorching Sunday, with temperatures soaring to 94°F and a heat index near 120°F, the Third Ward community gathered at Peggy Park to observe Black August — a month-long commemoration of Black liberation movements. Organized by All Neighborhoods Powerfully United (ANPU) in collaboration with the Huey P. Newton Gun Club, Houston Chapter (HPNGCH), the event focused on physical fitness, disaster preparedness, and political education.
Community Urban Survival and Preparedness Training — Facebook Event
Understanding Black August
Black August is a time of reflection on the struggles and triumphs of Black freedom fighters, rooted in events like the Attica prison uprising and the life of George Jackson. It began in California to honor the lives and sacrifices of political prisoners, particularly Jackson, who was killed in San Quentin Prison in August 1971. The observance began as a way to reflect on the struggles for Black liberation, commemorate the actions of freedom fighters, and focus on political education, self-discipline, and solidarity. Over time, it has evolved into a broader movement for awareness and resistance within and outside of prison walls. It serves as a call to action for continued vigilance in the fight for racial justice.
Event Overview
The day began with a morning yoga session in Peggy Park led by Aisha Shahid, setting a calm and focused tone despite the rising heat. By 2:00 PM, the HPNGCH led an intense fitness training session, which included running with rucksacks, jumping jacks, push-ups, and mountain climbers. The extreme heat made the workout challenging, with members pausing for breaks as needed. Cold water and air conditioning were provided for anyone in need and everyone continued safely into the next sessions.
Following the physical training, participants received a detailed briefing on preparing a bug-out bag for emergencies like evacuations or natural disasters. This session emphasized the importance of readiness, with recommendations on essential items like first aid kits, non-perishable food, and water purification tools. One very interesting feature was the demonstration of proper tourniquet application.
Impact and Reflections
The event had a significant impact on the community, revealing the physical stressors some participants could face in a survival scenario. Despite the workout being relatively mild with cold water and ample breaks, it underscored the need for better physical preparedness in the face of potential emergencies. The dedication of the HPNGC members stood out, as they offered this valuable training freely to the community — a service that might be difficult or costly to find elsewhere.
The event also highlighted the simplicity of teaching and learning when there is a willingness to come together. Even under harsh conditions, the community demonstrated that where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Political Education
The training session concluded with a discussion on political education, where an HPNGC member introduced a list of books that had been influential during his time in prison. He shared how many incarcerated individuals spend their time reading and improving themselves, offering a unique perspective on how imprisonment can sometimes cultivate wisdom through study. Multiple dozens of titles were laid out for everyone to peruse. A partial list:
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The Wretched of the Earth — by Frantz Fanon
Published in 1961, a powerful critique of colonialism and its psychological effects on the colonized. Fanon argues for the decolonization process, emphasizing the need for resistance in overthrowing colonial powers and reclaiming indigenous identity. Influential in anti-colonial movements worldwide. -
The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L’Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution — by C.L.R. James
First published in 1938, chronicles the Haitian Revolution and its impact on the abolition of slavery. James explores the revolution’s global significance and its influence on the struggle for freedom throughout the Caribbean and beyond. -
The Destruction of Black Civilization: Great Issues of a Race from 4500 B.C. to 2000 A.D. — by Chancellor Williams
Williams’ 1971 book offers a detailed historical analysis of the rise and fall of African civilizations over millennia, examining how external invasions and internal strife contributed to the decline of African societies. A call to action for African self-determination. -
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America — by Richard Rothstein
Published in 2017, investigates how U.S. federal, state, and local governments systematically enforced segregation through housing policies. Rothstein dispels the myth that segregation was solely the result of private practices, showing that government action played a critical role. -
Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of George Jackson — by George Jackson
Published in 1970, a collection of letters written while incarcerated in Soledad Prison. The letters reveal Jackson’s transformation from a petty criminal to a committed revolutionary thinker and activist, offering a poignant critique of the American prison system. -
Assata: An Autobiography — by Assata Shakur
Published in 1987, Shakur recounts her life as a member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army — her experiences with racism, activism, her controversial trial, and ultimately her exile in Cuba. Both a personal narrative and a political manifesto. -
Mentacide — by Mwalimu K. Bomani Baruti
Explores the psychological warfare waged against African people through cultural and ideological domination. Baruti argues that this mental colonization is a deliberate strategy to suppress African consciousness and calls for a reclaiming of African thought and self-determination. -
The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews, Volume One — by The Nation of Islam Historical Research Department
Published in 1991, a controversial text that has generated significant debate in discussions of Black-Jewish relations. -
Message to the Blackman in America — by Elijah Muhammad
Published in 1965, a foundational text of the Nation of Islam outlining its religious and political beliefs. A significant influence in African-American religious and political thought. -
Blood in My Eye — by George Jackson
Published posthumously in 1972, a collection of writings and reflections on revolution, fascism, and the struggle for liberation. Written while Jackson was imprisoned; an iconic work in the literature of Black liberation. -
Yurugu: An African-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior — by Marimba Ani
A comprehensive critique of European cultural thought and its impact on African societies. Ani advocates for a return to African-centered ways of thinking and living. -
The ISIS Papers: The Keys to the Colors — by Dr. Frances Cress Welsing
Published in 1991, Welsing presents her theories on race, color, and racism. An influential and controversial work in discussions of race and power dynamics. -
Introduction to African Civilizations — by John G. Jackson
A broad overview of African history and civilizations from ancient times to the modern era, challenging the Eurocentric narrative and highlighting the achievements and contributions of African peoples. -
How Europe Underdeveloped Africa — by Walter Rodney
Rodney’s 1972 classic analysis of the impact of European colonialism on Africa, arguing that colonial exploitation systematically underdeveloped the continent. A foundational text in studies of African history and development economics.
Looking Ahead
ANPU has more community trainings scheduled monthly, with guest speakers covering a variety of topics, each focusing on different aspects of preparedness while continuing to include a physical training component. Next month’s topic will build on the foundation laid during this session, further equipping the community with the knowledge and skills needed for self-reliance.
Reflecting on the success of the day, Aisha Shahid noted: “It was a day full of training and education. Let’s keep this up and continue to show up for yourselves in the community because no one is coming to save you. You are the first responder for your life. In honor of George Jackson and all of the other Black political prisoners, we will continue to study, fast, train, and fight for the liberation of our people.”