On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with longtime political and revolutionary organizer Kalonji Changa for a powerful conversation on the meaning and purpose of Black August. Changa made it clear from the outset: Black August is not a time for celebration. It is a time for deep reflection, resistance, and remembrance—especially for Black political prisoners and those martyred in the struggle for liberation.

Changa began by laying out the origins of Black August, which was born inside California prisons in 1979 to honor the lives and legacies of eight men killed between 1970 and 1978—George Jackson, Jonathan Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain, W.L. Nolen, Alvin “Juggs” Miller, Cleveland Edwards, and Khatari Gaulden. These individuals, many affiliated with the Black Panther Party or the Black Liberation Army, were either assassinated or killed in combat while incarcerated. Their resistance and sacrifices remain foundational to the principles of Black August.

Changa highlighted George Jackson’s transformation from an 18-year-old accused of robbery into one of the most feared political thinkers behind bars. Through study and leadership, Jackson became a symbol of revolutionary consciousness—his assassination in 1971 marked a turning point. Black August, Changa emphasized, was created to honor the legacy of such resistance, not to be turned into social events or seasonal trends.

Changa challenged the public to fully understand what a political prisoner is. Drawing from insights shared by OG Kamau Sadiki, he explained that a political prisoner is not only someone imprisoned because of their politics—but someone who continues the political struggle while behind bars. Figures like Mumia Abu-Jamal and Leonard Peltier embody this definition. Changa, who serves on Peltier’s legal team, underscored how many political prisoners are only released when they’re near death—and yet, none express regret for standing in the fight for freedom.

Changa issued a pointed warning about the co-optation of Black August. “It’s not Kwanzaa,” he said. “It’s about political prisoners and those who gave their lives. Not about barbecues or branding.” He also noted how even the FBI has labeled Black August as “gang activity,” highlighting the ongoing criminalization of Black resistance. In some prisons, inmates are placed in solitary confinement simply for possessing Black August materials.

The discussion turned to current political repression—from Cop City arrests in Atlanta to deportation campaigns. Changa said plainly: “You can’t reform white supremacy.” He urged people to move beyond electoral solutions and build power on the ground—through self-defense, food security, mutual aid, and community-based organizing.

Despite the weight of the conversation, Changa ended with a rallying call. The elders and political prisoners he has built with over the years, he said, all share a common message: Don’t give up the fight. As the state continues to criminalize dissent and suppress radical histories, Black August remains a sacred space for clarity, resistance, and recommitment to struggle.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

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