A Commemoration of Black August, Class of 2027

 

During the Black August commemoration, I had the opportunity to engage deeply with the lives and sacrifices of Black revolutionaries and freedom fighters. I also explored Spelman Spotlight articles, which made me feel connected to a larger community and history of resistance. The event highlighted the work of lifelong activists like Angela Davis, who has advocated for the dismantling of the prison-industrial complex and challenged systemic oppression throughout her career, including facing institutional barriers such as being barred from teaching at UCLA due to her political affiliations.

Panels led by Professor Shola Lynch, Dr. Richardson, and Dr. McCarty emphasized that activism requires courage, persistence, and strategic thought. The discussion around the concept of “political prisons” made me reflect on how individuals are often criminalized for their identity or political beliefs, reinforcing broader systems of oppression that disproportionately target Black and brown communities. 

The event challenged me to consider how activism today must be rebranded to remain impactful, and it reinforced the idea that true leadership and empowerment come from lifting up others, as Dr. McCarty’s mother said: “We never rise any higher than the lowest among us.” Finally, the emphasis on embracing one’s full identity, captured in the idea that there is no such thing as a Spelman girl, only a Spelman woman, encouraged me to take up space confidently and carry forward the legacy of those who fought before us.

*I am pictured closest to the white water bottle*

Gracie Cardwell