Angela Davis “Radical movements are the work of generating hope”
In a highly-anticipated return to the University of Oregon campus after eight years, Angela Davis captivated the audience, acknowledging the commendable work of the Roar Center at the start of her speech. Cheers erupted at her recognition as she glanced toward the glass doors, where students eagerly bundled together for a glimpse. Davis, a renowned activist, and scholar, remarked, "Looks like not everyone who wanted to attend was able to get in," acknowledging the enormous accomplishment this amount of turn out represents as well as the unfortunate reality that, due to organizational mistakes, more students would be denied entry than accepted.
Addressing a range of critical issues, Davis delved into an inspirational and heartfelt analysis of peace movements in response to the genocide in Gaza, emphasizing the demand for a ceasefire and liberation. She explored the intricate dynamics of capitalism and exploitation, specifically focusing on women's roles in labor movements. Her renowned stance on prison abolition resonated as she passionately expressed, "As someone who has been involved in the Black struggle all my life... what is important is... acts of solidarity."
She spoke on the value of solidarity and collective action, the strength that organizing gives us, and the power it adds to our voices. She argues that we tend to "start with the I and think that is the path to We," when, in reality, the only genuine solutions come from starting with the “We.” Individualism is a crucial part of capitalism, and we must challenge it to disassemble the exploitative framework. Angela encourages us, as she looks back on 80 years of activism, that dismantling the ideologies we exist under is possible. She says we must "say no to the internalization of those ideologies" that protect capitalism, exploitation, and oppression.
Under capitalism, we are always complicit and implicated in some way, but "We can also resist." Angela highlights our ability as students to resist. In a world of constant reminders that every dollar spent in the American economy goes in some capacity to further war, remembering our power to resist and organize is a continued truth for activists throughout the generations.
Angela Davis's powerful reminder that "we can be afraid and act at the same time" encapsulates the essence of activism – acknowledging fear but not letting it paralyze us. It serves as a rallying cry for those who may be hesitant, encouraging them to channel their apprehensions into action. She recalls decades ago organizing for a free Palestine when the fear of speaking out against the apartheid and imperialism scared people into silence. With their bravery and initiative, this generation refuses to be silenced similarly. We will follow the example led by Davis and speak out despite fear.
Her emphasis on strength arising from unity echoes the fundamental principle of collective activism. When individuals come together, united in a common cause, they can confront fear and injustice more robustly than any solitary effort. Davis's words resonate as a call to overcome individual reservations, recognizing that true strength emerges when we stand together against the forces of fear and evil.
Highlighting the interconnectedness of Indigenous people and Black history, Davis said, “Indigenous people are an integral part of Black history” and vice versa. This echoed the organizers' introduction speech, which addressed the ongoing challenges faced by the Native American Student Union (NASU) amid ASUO's defunding and lack of respect for their traditions. Angela continued the dialogue on the intersection of struggle as she underscored the transformation of freedom movements, emphasizing that the struggle for liberation in Palestine represents a collective resistance against oppression and hyper-individualism.
Amid her speech, the door opened briefly, allowing a distressed student to shout, "Angela, they're not letting us in!" Davis apologized and promised to meet with students after the panel concluded. However, she was thwarted by the UOPD, which allegedly intimidated the remaining students, primarily students of color, and threatened the authority to force them to leave. We are working on another article investigating the causes of the organizational nightmare that occurred Wednesday night.
Back inside the panel room, while the hypocrisy of police presence at THE Angela Davis panel continued outside, she encouraged students to engage in the movement for freedom and change through their passions. She emphasized that everyone has a place in the fight; she said, "If you are an artist, use your art. If you are a poet, use your poetry." Even biologists have a place in the movement in Angela's eyes as she draws attention to the work of Doctors without Borders. Rejecting individualism, Davis urged a collective approach, stating, "You cannot do it by yourself," and challenging the internalization of ideologies that protect capitalism and exploitation. She criticized the overreliance on elections as the main arena for struggle, stating, "We are not voting for people to change the world;” we're voting for people who will not stand in our way while we do it. Collective action and change don't happen on the level of who we are electing for president but in the grassroots organizing that brings movements to life. She spoke about her life as an activist, stating, "The ones you least expect to inspire radical change are the ones who enabled it and made it possible.”
In response to questions about her fame and renowned Black Panther involvement, Davis humbly reminded students that her identity is shaped by the people's movements striving for her freedom. She spoke without ego, "It's not who I am. It's what people's movements did to free me.”
As such an iconic figure with so much she has inspired, students wondered how they could channel her strength in the face of constant resistance from opposing ideologies, and many students seemed to express a lack of hope. Addressing the concept of hope, Davis quoted Mariame Kaba: "Hope is not something that emerges as a result of the work that you do... Hope is a discipline." Davis asserts that generating hope is the responsibility of those organizing movements. According to Davis, hope is created through demonstration, protest, and solidarity, emphasizing that radical movements are essential for producing hope rather than passively waiting for it to emerge.
She reminded the audience that solidarity makes us powerful and gives us hope with countless poetic lines of inspiration and intellect. However, the quote I will carry with me and think of when I remember seeing an icon in person is as follows: “Radical movements are the work of generating hope.” We cannot wait for hope to come to us; “we must produce it.”
The enduring impact of Davis's words resonated long after the event concluded, sparking conversations and reflections among students. As students grappled with the challenges of our time, Davis's visit served as a powerful reminder of the importance of activism, solidarity, and hope in shaping a more just and equitable future. As we continue investigating the unfortunate failures that saw hundreds of students turned away, we must remember that we are a community. We must heed Angela Davis's words and stand in solidarity. Any imposed division should be defined against. If the hypocrisy of our campus is as broad and bold as calling cops on Angela Davis's Panel and limiting the attendance of Black and Brown students, then we can wait no longer to stand up and make a change. Together, in solidarity, as students for a better tomorrow.
