Silence is NOT an Option
August 2025
Black August- Black August is a month-long observance of Black liberation, honoring the struggles and sacrifices of Black political prisoners and freedom fighters. It originated in California prisons during the 1970s, inspired by the deaths of George and Jonathan Jackson. It also recognizes the broader history of Black resistance against systemic oppression. To learn more about Black August, you can watch Still Fighting: Unpacking the Revolutionary Spirit of Black August (10 minutes).
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition- August 23rd is a day that serves to remember and honor those who suffered and fought against slavery, ensuring the institution’s impact is not forgotten. We invite you to watch this short clip by Dr. Hilary Brown, Programme Manager at Culture and Community Development, CARICOM.
Women’s Equality Day: On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in the United States, but let’s not forget that while the 19th Amendment provided a legal framework, the fight for Black women’s voting rights endured until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We invite you to read this essay that explains the complicated legacy and reality of this historic amendment.
Call to Action
In this first issue of Silence is NOT an Option for the Fall 2025 semester, we urge you to join the AFT social justice committee to keep activism and social justice at the forefront of your role at SDCCD and/or GCCCD. Please send a short blurb expressing interest to Jim Mahler at aftjim@mac.com
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
