Angela Davis (8)

 Angela Davis is an American political activist, philosopher, academic, and author. Beyond these titles, she is a Black woman and member of the LGBTQ+ community. The work of Angela Davis analyzes and discusses topics on race, gender, and class in relation to capitalism, the prison industrial complex, politics, and more. Angela Davis has been a long-time radical figure in all of these movements, despite the fact that she is hardly ever taught as such. Her life experiences have drastically impacted her critical analysis of society as she and the world have changed over the years.

 One of the major shifts in Davis' political life was the year 1968. In 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, there was an emergence of 'feminist consciousness, and intersections between feminism, communism, racism, and sexism. According to Davis, they truly believed that the revolution was right around the corner at this time. In a global context, the African Liberation Revolution, the Cuban Revolution, and the Vietnam War were all occurring, so in the minds of activists, it seemed prime time for a civil rights revolution in the United States to take place. One of the things that Davis talks about upon reflection of this time is that their awareness of gender was not as complex as it is now. Back then it seemed women were in the background, whereas currently, they are on the rise. 

Many modern activists say that very little has changed since the year 1968, but Ms. Davis has a much more complex view. She agrees that little has changed systematically, but notes that "our consciousness has evolved". This is particularly significant because the people are the ones who make a change happen by mobilizing creating change that needs to happen, so if the collective consciousness is more evolved it means communities are better strategists, theorists, and overall advocates for justice. Davis believes this evolved consciousness stems directly from growing feminism, not mainstream feminism, rather what she calls "underground feminsm". Underground feminism is the form that is generated by women of color and emphasizes the interconnections between social justice struggles. 

One of the things that Angela Davis has talked about in relation to current movements is that she wants to see more younger people involved in electoral politics. In the current political state, she believes there has been an individualization of politics as a product of neoliberalism, which is hindering effective community organizing. People now think of themselves as individuals separately from communities, movements, and organizations, which means there is no cohesiveness in the work towards justice. This creates a significant barrier for our system and communities because, as Ms. Davis says, real politics is what happens outside of the electoral, and solidarity is what is created from and within community to community. 

Angela Davis' interviews, speeches, and texts should be regarded as foundational in U.S. history, politics, economics, philosophy, and social studies overall. She has been working within these groups for her entire life since young adulthood and has produced a large body of interdisciplinary and intersectional knowledge that is significant to the way society functions today. Furthermore, her perspective from surviving the Civil Rights Movement to be able to still discuss today is extremely important and should be valued in our education. 


Gabriella S. Hoard

Comments

  1. Ms. DunleyMay 26, 2021 at 8:15 AM

    Why do you think Angela Davis's work has been left out of the curriculum? If you had to select one class for her work to be embedded in, what class would you select and why?

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    Replies
    1. gabriella hoardMay 26, 2021 at 8:58 AM

      I think the main reason is because people do not value how much impact she has made for this nation. I think the one class she should be taught in is U.S. history because she has made so many strides for justice for all people and her ideas are extremely complex, which is important for students to learn about.

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