99 Books 50 Year Anniversary Tribute to George Jackson The Freedom Archives Donate
Overview
This activity encourages participants to connect historic prison struggles with the present while engaging a variety of media formats.
Learning Style
Active Listening / Critical Thinking
Purpose
Participants will practice critical thinking and active listening while engaging the centrality of prisoner unity in struggles to advance prisoner rights.
Time
1/2 Day
Intended Audience
High School or College Seminar
Materials
  1. Audioclip, George Jackson: We are all together (Length 00:01:00)
  2. Audioclip, George Jackson: Soledad Brothers (Length 00:01:05)
  3. Article, Claude Marks and Isaac Ontiveros, “Pelican Bay Hunger Strike: Four Years and Still Fighting,” Counterpunch, July 9, 2015. Accessed July 12, 2021

Instructions

Listen to the audio clips,  “We are all together” (00:01:00) and “Soledad Brothers” (00:01:05).  Then read and annotate the article, “Pelican Bay Hunger Strike: Four Years and Still Fighting,” and discuss among small groups. Possible discussion questions:

  • What is the significance of unity across racial lines in prisons?
  • What historic strategies did prisoners draw from during the 2011-2013 hunger strikes?
  • What made the hunger strikes successful?
  • What stands out to you in George Jackson’s description of unity in the two audio clips?
  • How has George Jackson’s legacy influenced prison organizing today?

Handouts

Materials

George Jackson – We Are All Together

George advocated for cross racial unities inside, recognizing that prison officials would exploit racial antagonisms as a tactic to provoke disagreements and fights. He insisted that the struggle against racism be directed at the prison system and the guards in particular. Selection taken from interviews done in 1971 by Karen Wald.

George Jackson on the Soledad Brothers

Soledad Brothers refers to more than 3 people – it means all those prisoners who unite and resist. Selection taken from interviews done in 1971 by Karen Wald.