Angela Davis: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Building a Better Future

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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
“[In] 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.
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Credits:
Executive Producer: Laura Flanders
Supervising Producer: Sabrina Artel
Consulting Producer: Rory O’Connor
Development Director: Sarah Miller
Senior Video Editor: David Neumann
Creative Designer & Video Editor: Nat Needham
Audio Director: Jeannie Hopper
Communications Director: Janet Hernandez
Executive Assistant: Nady Piña
Thumbnail photo of Angela Davis by KK Ottesen.

[@LauraFlandersAndFriends]

Join us on Zoom this Tuesday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. for a special virtual watch party to kick off the first season of Laura Flanders & Friends. Together we will watch our episode featuring professor, activist, scholar and writer Angela Davis and host a live chat with Laura. So many of you have already RSVP'd and we can't wait to see you! Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/laura-flanders-and-friends-season-launch-tickets-872752284577

[@kp6215]

Angela that I remember in 60's 😘

[@rajaal-taqi8122]

A totally dynamic and calming conversation with a wonderful 80 yrs old Phenomenal woman in our age.

[@Lilfeatha]

Truth101 ✨️🌞

[@TheMrMoco]

❤

[@Lilfeatha]

Matriarch's Matter101

[@siriuslyspeaking9720]

Davis's early comment that we must remind ourselves that we are powerful, is good and needed advice, that must be said with hindsight. It would be extremely helpful, if people like Davis and Jessie Jackson, would reflect on the past and give us some much needed insight and perspective, on where those who speak for Black people and Black people in general, have gone wrong, in trying to make our lives better through both political and social efforts. The attitude of power to the people, instead of the power of the people and from them, was a mistake we made.
The Left in general today is very idealistic, but it's idealism is still only directed at government and not at the people. The Black woke of today, is most guilty of this. They won't acknowledge that we Blacks do anything that adds to our already precarious condition and position in society. To do so is seen by them, as blaming the victim. Jessie Jackson said decades ago "what does it matter that the doors of opportunity are opened to you, if you are too drunk to stagger through them?" Does Jackson feel that we have taken his advice to heart? Is he still critical of some things we do, that add to our problems? If we do significant harm to ourselves, how can we not admit to and change it? Who is better equipped than elders like Jackson and Davis, who both them and us, are blessed, that they are still living, and so can show us the mistakes we've made?
What is asked of society is limited to the rights of specific demographics of society. The idea of a fair and peaceful society, is lost in narrowly applied outcries against various demographics being treated unfairly. The basic argument of how much wealth and thus power, should on person be allowed to amass, in a world of limited resources; what is a fair amount of compensation for an individuals labor or contribution to a finished product; and in a competitive situation, there will be those who win, and those who don't - how then should society view those who don't win, and how should those who don't win view themselves, is what needs to be the focus of this social/political discourse we are in. The evolution - not revolution that society needs, cannot come top down from the government to the people. It can only come from the people evolving and living the idealism they ask for from government, and it then will naturally rise up to the government.
The amount of violence especially, but crime in general also, is not justified in the U.S., given the quality of life people live, in modern societies, all over the world. Ironically Democrats can borrow the basic idea for Obama care from a proposal created by a Conservative, but ignore the 'proposal of a 'peace dividend' that the conservative politicians Margaret Thatcher - former Prime Minister of Britain, and the late President George H. W. Bush presented to the nations of the world, in the late 1980's. They ask that nations consider what the money they all spent on their military, could do for their people and their nations, if that money was directed towards that end.
The best why to defund anything, is to make it largely not needed. Why is this obviously much needed and fundamental call to humanity, not done by the Left and Black people especially. We are calling for reparations, but humanity is in need of reparations for the historic, inhumane treatment we have historically committed on each other. A peaceful world and a global fair economic system, would equate to reparations for humanity.
Why are not the religious leaders calling for this? Is it because, it doesn't fit their narrative? How can we resolve this conflict of interest among us? Are we too afraid to comfort the inevitable question, that seems can only be faced by an evolution in our thinking and values? Can evolution and the idea of being reborn co-exist? How can anyone think of a future, it we can't get beyond this fundamental divide?
We are in denial if we say we don't understand what we face. The way the Israel war with Hamas is going is evident that we are not willing to face reality. How can someone call for a ceasefire without stating what the conditions are that both sides must agree to? If you have the power to demand a cease-fire, then also say what the terms of it are, that both sides must agree to and adhere to. This is not being presented to the public, and few if any are pointing this out. It is further evidence of the epidemic of denial of reality and gaslighting that has overtaken society. The future, if there is one, will likely be a brave new world indeed. It will take a rare kind of bravery, for it to come about. It is the bravery of honesty, that is lacking far to much today.

[@Charlie8-io9mq]

For who?