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With so many urgent crises tugging at our hearts, from war, to climate, to discontent and violence, people want to know: How do we set priorities and do the right thing, especially as that relates to building a better world, and to an election that seems both problematic and the most important of our time? If anyone can ground us thoughtfully in this moment, with all of its challenges and all its potential, it’s renowned professor, activist, scholar and writer Angela Davis. In her writing, lecturing and many decades of activism, Davis has shown a unique ability to pull competing struggles into a single story — a story of systems and power. In this special first episode of “Laura Flanders & Friends” (formerly, The Laura Flanders Show), Laura is joined by Angela Davis, a leading voice in the movement for abolition and feminism who has lots to share about her evolution and how decades of activism are coming together in this moment. From Palestine to elections, to our carceral state and collective liberation, this kickoff conversation is packed with Davis’ insight and the teachings from her latest book “Abolition: Politics, Practices, Promises, Vol. 1”. What has Davis learned in her 80 years as a freedom fighter? All that, plus a commentary from Laura on the words of the late poet and essayist June Jordan, who writes, “I was born a Black woman/and now/I am become a Palestinian.”
“When vast numbers of people come together to defend a vision of the future that they would like to see, this is how change happens. It doesn’t happen because we elect a particular person to office.” – Angela Y. Davis
“ Birmingham, Jewish people were the very first white people to support the struggle against racism . . . Here in the US and in other parts of the world, it’s actually Jewish people, young Jewish people who are in the forefront of the struggle against Zionism.” – Angela Y. Davis
Guest:
Angela Y. Davis: Professor, Activist, Scholar & Writer; Author, Abolition: Politics, Practices, Promises, Vol. 1.*
*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. Laura Flanders & Friends is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Recommended books:
“Abolition: Politics, Practices, Promises, Vol. 1” by Angela Y. Davis, Learn More Here
(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:
• Mariame Kaba: Rooting Out Our Culture of Harm Watch / Listen-Podcast / Full Conversation
• Emergent Strategies for Abolition: Andrea J. Ritchie’s Toolkit for Activists
• Freedom for Women Requires Abolition Feminism: Suzanne Pharr & Beth Richie Watch / Listen-Podcast / Full Conversation
• Esther Cooper Jackson at 96: STill in the Struggle #GRITtv Watch
Related Articles and Resources:
• A Visual Celebration of the Revolutionary Angela Davis by Miss Rosen and photography by Free Angela by Herb Bruce (1971), September 14, 2021, huck magazine, Read and View Artwork Here
• Angela Davis: Standing With Palestinians, by Angela Davis, Hammer and Hope, Spring 2024, Read Here
• Solidarity with Palestine – A Radical Black Feminist Mandate: A Reading List & Archived Event, Black Women Radicals, Read and Watch Here
• Angela Davis, Cease the Time Exhibit at OMCA, Learn More Here
Featured ‘Music in the Middle’ of the Podcast:
State of the Nation by Bokani Dyer featuring Damani Nkosi from his full length album Sechaba (sec-a-bah) released on Brownswood Records. Listen & Learn More
Related Episodes, Articles, Uncut Conversations and More
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