So I’m talking with Angela Davis last night …

Well, not really … she was actually talking to me and a packed Myer Horowitz Theatre as part of the Revolutionary Speaker Series hosted by the U of A Students' Union.  In a word:  STIMULATING.

I would love nothing more than to say it was powerful, awe-inspiring, inspirational, etc.–all of those buzz words one might expect to be used after hearing one of the most important social activists of our time (historical and contemporary).  It was all of those things.  It was all of those things to some extent.  However, the word that captures my feelings best is "stimulating".  Dammit … that might not even be the best word.  Engaging?  Validating?  Hmm … maybe if I work it out a bit here I'll be better able to pick one word.

As part of a "revolutionary" speaker series, one cannot ignore Davis's words, thoughts, and actions that have worked towards radical change.  Women, Race & Class.  Who better than Davis to serve as the signpost for addressing intersectionality across the many axes of difference?  Without question, she is a very important figure to many communities as a result. 

But what did she have to say last night?  Here are a few things that I took away:

1.  On Historical Amnesia

It was so good to hear this idea in this forum.  It was actually Sean Brayton who invoked this term in an email to me just the other day.  It is an idea that is central to my work.  To put the contemporary in context means to remember the traces that history has marked upon us.  We do, far too easily, forget.  The other blog I got on the go at the moment about the Caledonia Standoff is a prime example.  Although, I'm not sure at this point if it is a memory of Oka that actually does shape this contemporary event.  Racism in Canada.  We forget our colonial past.  We forget battles fought less than a decade ago (see Ted Nolan incident to compare).  I'm no expert.  I have a hard time calling myself an historian.  I don't think we should live in the past (another point Davis brought up in her talk).  However, we cannot forget the past.  We cannot ignore the traces that history has marked upon us.  We cannot know where we are today without tracing our path to get here.  Cultural Studies as ahistorical???  I think not!  Overcoming historical amnesia is central to the (read my) Cultural Studies project. 

2.  On Global Consciousness

With no less than a dozen references during her talk that I had absolutely no familiarity with, it became clear to me that I can always be more aware of global events.  I'm in a class with a guy from South America.  I keep hearing all of these great stories about the way things are in certain South American countries.  I'm fascinated by some of these stories, by some of the events that are taking place.  I've always said that South America was the first or second stop on my world travel "wish list".  However, I really don't know jack squat about things in South or Central America.  Canada's role in the coup d'etat of the democratic government in Haiti is something that was absolutely new news to me!?!?  Activist communities are often the most aware of the more covert dealings of our own government.  Illegal imprisonment, coups d'etat, back room politics, etc.  I try to be a bit of an activist (primarily in the classroom and in personal interactions), but a talk like this, with so many "important" global and local events so foreign to me, I was reminded that there is always so much more I "could" know.  However, I don't feel too much anxiety … because even what I do know I fail to act upon as fully as I could.  The guilt is in the inaction, not in the ignorance.  Knowing more is good … doing more would be better.  However, on that note:

3.  On Violent Revolution

Ironic that Davis's visit coincides with my re-reading of Black Skin, White Masks.  Davis had some very strong and insightful words when asked about violence used towards initiating change.  From someone who was told during the Q&A period that she had lost a lot of her "fire" from her early days as an activist, Davis's response was heartfelt.  She said that the decision to enact violence, even for progressive ends, should be the most thought about decision one ever makes.  The victims of oppressive violence feel the effects for a long time, but so too do those who enact violence in response.  There has to be another way if we think about it.  In the end, that may be what is required.  But let's not go there unless we know what we're getting ourselves into and prepared to deal with the aftermath for everyone.  I like that.  Find the peaceful path if at all possible. 

4.  On the Media

I liked how Davis linked the media (also how she talked about the industrial-military-media complex) to all of the points I've listed above.  She talked about the power of the media.  She talked about how the new forms of media should be embraced.  She talked about how there are alternative media sources that can help us to become more globally aware.  She talked about using the media for progressive purposes.  But she also talked about how the media actually facilitates the historical amnesia from which we all seem to suffer.  We need to continually press the media to be responsible.  We need to use the media to help us create awareness and remember our pasts.  As Foucault might suggest, it's not that the media is bad … it's that the media is dangerous. 

5.  On Looking to Angela Davis as a Role Model or Icon

There is a humility that seems to be coming more and more commonplace among profound individuals.  Davis encouraged us to look to the young–to look to the next generation full of new ideas and who carry a flame for initiating change.  Do I think that Davis tried to downplay the important role she has played in being that individual who has initiated very important change in the world?  Yes, I do.  But do I agree with her when she says that we should not look to a select few to tell us what to do?  Yes, I do.  It's not "fuck Davis" or "fuck Foucault" (if I am to take a theoretical turn).  It's thanks for all you've done … for the way you've helped me to see the world in a new light.  But it is up to ME to decide how I go forward in this new light.  And, as doom-and-gloom as it may appear from the foot of the mountain one must inevitably climb to see (radical) social change … it can be done.  We can change the world! 

So, after all of that, what word do I use to describe what I took away from the talk last night?  STIMULATING.  Yep, it still works.  Albeit peppered with inspiration and education and a host of other things … it was a stimulating talk.  Apparently you can enjoy it for yourselves <here>. 

Dig it!