Angela Davis: A Journey Of Activism And Education (1944-)

Who Is Angela Davis?

Angela Davis is a renowned scholar and activist who has significantly impacted civil rights and social justice movements. She studied at prestigious institutions, including the Sorbonne, and became a member of the U.S. Communist Party. Despite facing legal issues related to a prison outbreak, she was ultimately cleared of all charges and is celebrated for works such as Women, Race & Class. Davis continues to advocate for gender equity, prison reform, and racial justice, making her a prominent figure in contemporary social activism.

Early Life

Born on January 26, 1944, in Birmingham, Alabama, Angela Davis grew up in a middle-class neighborhood known as "Dynamite Hill." This area was infamous for the bombing of African American homes by the Ku Klux Klan. Davis's father, Frank, owned a service station, while her mother, Sallye, was an elementary school teacher and an active member of the NAACP. Sallye's pursuit of a master's degree at NYU also influenced Angela, who accompanied her as a teenager and developed a strong sense of social justice.

Angela's upbringing in Birmingham exposed her to the harsh realities of racial discrimination. She actively organized interracial study groups during her teenage years, emphasizing the need for collaboration across racial lines. The legacy of violence in her community, including the tragic Birmingham church bombing of 1963, fueled her commitment to civil rights activism.

Education, The Black Panthers and Communism

Davis's pursuit of knowledge led her north to Brandeis University in Massachusetts, where she studied philosophy under the influential Herbert Marcuse. Later, as a graduate student at the University of California, San Diego, she became involved with various activist groups, including the Black Panthers. However, her primary involvement was with the Che-Lumumba Club, an all-Black branch of the Communist Party, which highlighted her dedication to addressing racial and social injustices.

After securing a teaching position at UCLA, Davis faced backlash from the university's administration due to her political affiliations. Despite being fired for her communist associations, she fought back legally and reclaimed her position. However, she ultimately left the university when her contract expired in 1970, continuing her activism and commitment to social justice.

Soledad Brothers

Outside the academic realm, Angela Davis emerged as a staunch supporter of the Soledad Brothers, three inmates at Soledad Prison wrongfully accused of killing a prison guard. The men—John W. Cluchette, Fleeta Drumgo, and George Lester Jackson—became symbols of the fight against racial injustice in the prison system. Many believed they were being used as scapegoats due to their political activism and the broader context of violence in the prison.

Charged With Murder

In August 1970, during George Jackson's trial, a violent escape attempt led to chaos in the courtroom, resulting in several deaths. Angela Davis was subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including murder, based on two main pieces of evidence: the guns used in the incident were registered in her name, and it was reported that she was romantically involved with Jackson. After spending around 18 months in jail, she was acquitted in June 1972, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the fight for justice.

Later Years

After her release, Angela Davis continued her journey as an educator and activist. She became a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she taught courses on the history of consciousness, ultimately retiring in 2008. During her career, Davis remained an influential voice on issues related to race, the criminal justice system, and women's rights, frequently lecturing at prestigious universities across the nation.

In 2017, Angela Davis played a significant role in the Women's March on Washington, standing as an honorary co-chair after Donald Trump's inauguration. Her enduring commitment to activism and education continues to inspire new generations of social justice advocates.

Books

In addition to her academic career, Angela Davis co-founded Critical Resistance, an organization dedicated to dismantling the prison industrial complex. She is also the author of several influential books that explore themes of race, gender, and social justice, including Angela Davis: An Autobiography (1974), Women, Race, and Class (1980), Women, Culture and Politics (1989), Are Prisons Obsolete? (2003), Abolition Democracy (2005), and The Meaning of Freedom (2012).

Key Takeaways