Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast

Host: Alycia Asai

Episode: Communist, Activist: Angela Davis

Date: March 24, 2021

Episode Overview

This special "Wonder Women Wednesday" episode explores the life, activism, and legacy of Angela Davis, an iconic American scholar, communist, and activist. Host Alycia Asai dives into Davis's upbringing in the racially charged South, her intellectual and political influences, her notorious run-in with the law over the Soledad Brothers case, and her ongoing impact as a leader in prison abolition and social justice. The episode aims to shed light on both the celebrated and controversial facets of Angela Davis’s life, unpacking the depth and complexity of her activism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Life and Political Roots

(00:35–02:10)

• Born January 26, 1944, Birmingham, Alabama, in a neighborhood called Dynamite Hill due to frequent racist bombings.
• Her mother—a national officer in the Southern Negro Youth Congress—steeped in communist ideology.
• Davis traces her political thought to these early experiences:

  “Davis, who today classifies herself as a democratic socialist, points to her upbringing for how her political beliefs developed.” (00:54)

• Early activism began as a Girl Scout, joining anti-segregation protests in Birmingham.

2. Academic Journey & Mentorship

(02:11–03:15)

• Attended Brandeis University, Massachusetts; studied philosophy.
• Met philosopher Herbert Marcuse at a rally, who provided early guidance on merging scholarship and activism.
• Developed an interest in the Communist Party USA; attended the World Festival of Youth and Students in Helsinki, Finland.

3. Rise of Activism and Surveillance

(03:15–04:20)

• On returning from Europe, Davis was questioned by the FBI, marking her “first, but certainly not last run in with the Bureau.” (03:42)
• Completed a PhD in Philosophy from Humboldt University, Germany.

4. Academic Controversy and Political Persecution

(04:21–05:10)

• In 1969, began teaching at UCLA.
• Then-Governor Ronald Reagan actively opposed Davis’s employment due to her Communist Party affiliation:

  “Reagan would go on to say that Davis would never work in the UC system again…” (05:03)

• Faced dismissal for so-called “incendiary language” (referring to police officers as "pigs").

5. The Soledad Brothers Case & National Spotlight

(05:11–07:16)

• August 7, 1970: The kidnapping of Judge Haley, orchestrated in part with guns registered to Davis.
• Though not present, Davis was charged with first-degree murder under California law because the weapons were in her name.
• Davs went into hiding and became the third woman on the FBI Most Wanted List.
• She was captured in New York (October 13, 1970) and labeled a “dangerous terrorist” by President Richard Nixon.

6. The Trial and Acquittal

(07:17–08:08)

• Pleaded not guilty, placed in solitary confinement.
• A nationwide campaign, supported by figures like John Lennon and Yoko Ono (who released the song “Angela”), fought for her release.
• After 16 months in jail, Davis was acquitted on June 4, 1972. She then embarked on an international speaking tour advocating her political beliefs.

7. Communism and Black Liberation

(08:09–08:39)

• Davis on intertwining Black liberation with socialism/communism:

  “If... the interests of the party and black people conflicted in any way, I wouldn’t be a member of the party because I’m interested first and foremost in the liberation of my people. And I feel that the policy of the party, as well as the practice, has been the only consistently correct approach to black liberation... I don’t think that we can talk about black liberation without overturning the system... The only way we can do that, I feel, is through a socialist revolution.” (07:49–08:32)

8. Later Career and Ongoing Activism

(08:40–10:25)

• 1980 & 1984: Ran for Vice President with the Communist Party USA.
• Left the Party in 1991; founded Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism, nodding to revolutionary-era resistance.
• Critical Resistance: Co-founded this international group aiming to abolish the prison system:

  “Our goal is not to improve the system even further, but to shrink the system into non existence. We work to build healthy, self determined communities and promote alternatives to the current system.” (09:40)

9. Legacy and Current Work

(10:26–10:57)

• Professor Emerita of History of Consciousness and Feminist Studies.
• Continues public lectures, scholarship, and writing, addressing topics from prison abolition to U.S. international policy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alycia Asai (Reflecting on Davis’s childhood):

  “Nothing screams political activism more than a Girl Scout. Although they come out hard during cookie season, so I better watch my P’s and Q’s. Much respect, ladies.” (01:23)

• Alycia Asai (on Davis returning from Helsinki):

  “Nothing says Welcome back more than a greeting by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Am I right?” (03:42)

• Angela Davis (on Black liberation and the Communist Party):

  “I’m interested first and foremost in the liberation of my people... I feel that the policy of the party, as well as the practice, has been the only consistently correct approach to black liberation... The only way we can do that, I feel, is through a socialist revolution. And that’s going to involve not only black people, but all oppressed people in this society.” (07:49–08:32)

• Critical Resistance’s mission:

  “Our goal is not to improve the system even further, but to shrink the system into non existence. We work to build healthy, self determined communities and promote alternatives to the current system.” (09:40)

• Alycia Asai (Personal note on the Marin Civic Center):

  “I remember hearing about the story when I was younger and it always baffled me to know that a hostage situation had taken place at the same spot I signed papers to get married. Also, the building has not changed much at all. It’s like a piece of history stuck in time.” (06:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:35–02:10 | Early life and formative influences | | 02:11–03:15 | Academic path and mentorship | | 03:15–04:20 | Interest in communism, FBI surveillance | | 04:21–05:10 | UCLA tenure and political controversies | | 05:11–07:16 | Soledad Brothers case, being charged | | 07:17–08:08 | Trial, national campaign, acquittal | | 07:49–08:32 | Angela Davis on communism and black liberation | | 08:40–10:25 | Later activism: Communist Party, Critical Resistance | | 10:26–10:57 | Academic legacy, ongoing activism |

Conclusion

This episode of Civics & Coffee offers an engaging, insightful introduction to Angela Davis, highlighting how her childhood, academic journey, legal battles, and relentless activism shaped her as a leading figure in both the fight against racism and for prison abolition. Davis’s story is contextualized within the broader currents of American history and serves as a compelling example of how personal conviction and institutional resistance can collide to catalyze social change.