Being a child of the seventies, what comes to mind for me when I hear the name Angela Davis is this: afro, fist in the air, strong sista! I believe that to be the case for millions around the world. Many know her for speaking out against injustice as early as the 1960’s at a time when people were being killed for such acts. And while most know her for at least her perfect afro in the 1970’s, it goes much deeper than that. She is a college professor from Alabama who did things over 40 years ago that most of us don’t have the courage and strength to do even today! She spoke out publicly in an age where Black people (especially women) were attacked from all sides for such behavior. She was not only threatened by the government on a local and federal level, but also received death threats and bomb threats from white people on a regular basis. None of this stopped her from continuing to fight for what she believes in and she’s still fighting today.
Some of you may be saying she’s not the only strong Black woman and you’re right! We, as Black women, have a level of strength that rises above. This is not a prejudiced statement or one of hate – it is one of fact. People of African descent have been among the most, if not THE most oppressed of anyone in the world and we as Black women get a double dose. Yet we’re still standing strong!
Whether you agree with everything that she stands for or not, Black women from all over can agree on this one thing…she is a symbol of strength for us. Thank you, Ms. Angela Davis, for being that symbol, for rocking your fro, for showing the world the strength of Black womanhood. And thank you to my mom, who also rocked a mean fro in the 1970’s (and still does today)! You are my shining example of the strength of a Black woman. Who’s your personal symbol of strength?
[box]Join BLACK CENTRAL™ and community groups around the nation as we bring the story of Angela Davis to you! Don’t miss your chance to see the new film Free Angela and All Political Prisoners. If you are in or near central Ohio, click here to reserve your ticket right away! We must meet our threshold by May 2nd. All other cities, visit tugg.com for scheduled screenings.[/box]