Black History Month- In Honor of Angela Davis (1944-)

"Behold the heart and mind of Angela Davis: open, relentless, and on time!  She is as radiant, she is as true, as that invincible sunrise she means means means to advance with all of the faith and all of the grace of her entirely devoted life" - June Jordan 1

Angela Davis (1944-)

My first personal experience with Angela Y. Davis occurred within an obscure, Portland bookstore that featured no more than 500 books for sale. There were no highly sought after publications or rare books; just a collection of rag-tag pieces, probably bought for pennies from local thrift shops, by some hippie owner who thought it would be cool to own an independent book store in a town that has approximately 6000 independent book stores.

Nevertheless, my five year old son and I squeezed between the two rows of book shelves and browsed politely for a few moments until I was ready to make my exit. Suddenly, an afro caught my eye. A huge puff of beautiful, 70's style, African American hair fairly protruding from the dust mites and clutter that dominated the bookshelf. I stepped closer and removed the book from its rightful place and found the most amazing book ever: "Women, Culture, & Politics" by none other than Angela Y Davis. The cost? $.25.

An unbelievable find that I couldn't pass up. I raced to the counter to find no one there . I looked around and called out for assistance; still no one. My son began incessantly ringing the bell on the check out desk (a scrap wood table with  packets of carbon copy receipts and a metal box, presumable for cash payments)to help me gain anyone's attention. I HAD to buy this book; the find, the location, the experience would not be complete without purchasing such epic literature for $.25.

After an interminable 5 minutes of waiting I could stand the suspense no longer. I reached into my purse, found some change (probably more than $.25) and laid it upon the metal box. I then dug out a note and scrawled

 "No One Here, ISBN 0-394-56976-8 Angela Davis Politics Book - THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!"

We raced home and I immediately devoured "Women, Culture and Politics". I don't particularly remember the time it took for me to actually read it, but I can safely say it was less than 24 hours. A masterpiece, one whose magnificence and intelligence is so often overlooked by her more famous publications such as, "Women , Race, and Class" or "If They Come in The Morning".

The major theme of the publication is  in essence , laying the groundwork for what is now modernly referred to as intersectionality: the role race, class and gender have to play in society and politics. Her focus moves away from some of her more "radical" black, feminist theories; to a subdued and grim analysis of social norms and division of class lines, relating back to how this associates with the oppression of women , minorities and the lower class.

At times, Angela Davis has been portrayed as angry, bitter, unintelligent and opportunistic. In regards to her famous court cases, her character was smeared in the most disgusting of fashions.

That was then and this is now.

Angela Davis has become an inspiration to millions of women and men across the globe as an outspoken  opponent to human rights violations.  She has used her broad knowledge, experiences and connections to bridge the divide between racial, class and gender lines. In my generation there has yet to be a woman to achieve such monumental influence.

This is to you, Angela Y. Davis.

-LaPrincipessa | Twitter: @sophiabiabia | sophiabiabia@gmail.com

1. Women Culture Politics by Angela Davis: June Jordan (review)

(Posted at Women Undefined)