Celebrating Angela Davis

 

 Have you ever heard of Angela Davis? She is an icon of our times who deserves to be known and respected by all generations. On the occasion of her birthday, we talk a little about her in this post.

 

 

Angela Davis, an American professor and author, turned 80 on January 26th. As a Marxist and feminist political activist, as well as a longtime member of the Communist Party USA and Black Panther Party, Angela helped bring about many social changes.

Her city, Birmingham, followed racial segregation laws when she was born, in 1944.  It was known as Jim Crow and restricted the space and rights of the black population. It means that there were schools for whites and others for blacks, seats on the bus separated for colors and so on. Because of this, American activist Rosa Parks became a symbol of resistance for refusing to give up her seat on the bus to white people.

In the fight for racial equality, Angela was pursued by the FBI and arrested in 1970 without concrete proof, causing popular commotion in favor of her freedom. Her action for rights encompasses all perspectives, such as feminism, and it turns clear in her books, as “Women, Race & Class”.

In “Women, Race & Class”, Angela Davis demonstrates the social and political influence of whiteness and elitism in feminism, which prevented the collective efforts from the anti-racists and feminists. Then, it brings out the difference between black and white women, comparing from abolitionist days to the present.

Even though all women suffer the consequences of machismo, black women also suffer because of racism, being victims of heavy work and even more degrading conditions. Equality becomes even more difficult.

Celebrating Angela Davis, we recommend reading all her books and also watch The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution on Netflix. The documentary tells the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party, illustrating the participation and importance of icons such as Angela Davis.