August 21, 1971

August 21, 1971 was the deadliest day in San Quentin history, and it’s still a painful topic, both inside the prison and out. At the center of the story was a Black revolutionary named George Jackson. Who was he, and what makes him so controversial, even today?

As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show.

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com.

More on George Jackson and the Adjustment Center incident:

Freedom Archives’ 99 Books project

50th anniversary article by Kevin Sawyer, an editor at the San Quentin News

“Soledad Brother” 40 years later

“Day of the Gun” documentary from Bay Area news station KRON4

Making Contact’s radio documentary “The Struggle Inside”

New York Times narrative of August 21st

Los Angeles Times looks back at the day, and the trial of the San Quentin Six

British documentary about the weeks after August 21, 1971

Dick Nelson remembers August 21st, 1971