Freedom Is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis

Content Tags: Speeches, Injustice, Racism


Description from Storygraph:
Activist, teacher, author and icon of the Black Power movement Angela Davis talks Ferguson, Palestine, and prison abolition.

In these newly collected essays, interviews, and speeches, world-renowned activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis illuminates the connections between struggles against state violence and oppression throughout history and around the world.

Reflecting on the importance of black feminism, intersectionality, and prison abolitionism for today's struggles, Davis discusses the legacies of previous liberation struggles, from the Black Freedom Movement to the South African anti-Apartheid movement. She highlights connections and analyzes today's struggles against state terror, from Ferguson to Palestine.

Facing a world of outrageous injustice, Davis challenges us to imagine and build the movement for human liberation. And in doing so, she reminds us that "Freedom is a constant struggle."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This book was recommended many times for reading about Palestine and, even though these speeches are all from 8+ years ago, it is still incredibly relevant and relatable to the ongoing mistreatment of people around the globe. As much as certain people love to complain that social media is rotting our brains, it has been an excellent tool to spread more awareness of crises that have been ongoing for decades or longer. There were some really excellent speeches included in this book.

One of the points Angela Y Davis made that stood out to me most was that movements aren't about individuals, but the collective. So even though history wants you to think MLK, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, etc. were doing it all alone and they made the movements, there were really communities pulling together to make possible the movements those people were the faces for.


Book Reflection Wrap-up:
How would you describe the book in one sentence? What is the main point or purpose of the book?
Everything and everyone is connected - if it can happen to them, it can happen to you.

What are some of the ethical, moral, or social implications of the book? How does it challenge or support your values or beliefs?
The main focus of the book as I interpreted it was that you shouldn't have to currently be directly impacted by something to care about it. If something is wrong, it's wrong no matter who it's happening to. There is no justification for reprehensible behaviors.

Finished 12/15/2023

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