08/02/2025
This Black August, we decided to make the connection between America’s foundational enslavement practice to its modern day counterpart, the prison industrial complex.
In our studies, we recognized parallels in the stories of Nat Turner and George L. Jackson and how they represent these two inseparable institutions.
On August 21st, 1831, Nat Turner launched the largest recorded enslaved rebellion in the United States history. Nat was a devout Christian, a preacher and self educated. He was inspired to action by what he considered to be a sign from God, a solar eclipse in February 1831. He claimed that he saw the hand of a black man blocking out the sun. This was the inspiration for our Nat Turner T shirt.
Author and revolutionary George L. Jackson, after being sentenced 1 year to life for stealing $71, committed to the path of ideological transformation studying political economy and radical theory. Jackson was an activist and political theoritician helping to spread education and radical ideas in prison. In January 1970, Jackson, Fleeta Drumgo, and John Clutchette were charged for the death of corrections officer John Vincent Mills, allegedly as retaliation for the killing of three inmates. These men would become known as the Soledad Brothers.
On August 21st, 1971, just days after finishing what would become the acclaimed Blood In My Eye, Jackson was killed by prison guards at San Quentin State Prison. Jackson never went to trial for the Mills murder.
Our collection of tees both honor the lives of Nat Turner and George L. Jackson and call for an end to prison exploitation.
All orders come with a SIXTH DEGREE branded bookmark and resource guide and profits will be directed to Books Beyond Bars NY in order to support efforts to provide books for incarcerated people.
Additionally, you can access our resource guide and more information for free at SixthDegreeClothing.com
Join us all month as we do the knowledge and reflect on ways we can contribute to change.