Human rights activist Angela Davis met with protests

Angela Davis inspires people to amend, not overthrow institutions.

By Krissy Tripp

Published April 10, 2009

Flyers advertising human rights activist Angela Davis's trip campus lined the hallways, but next to -- or even stapled directly on top of -- those flyers, were protests.

Davis spoke about issues she feels need to be challenged like capitalism, freedom, democracy, the prison system and the way people are treated. Her message was about change. She did not challenge people to get rid of these systems, but rather to look at them in a different light.

Freshman Kiara Washington said she came because as a black woman on campus, she feels it's important to keep up with civil rights activists on campus.

The Communist Party USA was there handing out pamphlets to the audience. Senior Nick Totten said he has no official affiliation with the party, but he was willing to help them spread the word. He also said the party wasn't there because of any affiliation with Davis; they simply thought it would be a good crowd to hand out flyers to.

Davis explained how capitalism has damaged much of the world today, that it has become so ingrained in our society, it's hard to imagine a world without it. She said it's a matter of bringing wealth to few, but the result is pushing many into poverty. While she spoke against capitalism, she said she doesn't believe all capitalists are bad, and some have good intentions.

"If we weren't so worried about saving capitalism," Davis said. "I mean, some people are, I'm really not that worried about saving capitalism, we could convert the automobile industry to produce green, energy efficient machines."

History professor Jessie Sudholt was one of several non-students in the crowd.

"I lived through another time with Angela Davis and I thought it might be interesting to see how she's evolved," Sudholt said. "Sometimes I agreed with her and many times I did not, but I always respect people who stand up for what they believe."

Davis was sponsored by multiple student organizations, and paid, in part, by student fees.

Freshman Brett Dinkins said he protested Davis speaking on campus because he said MU doesn't bring in a full spectrum of speakers.

"I don't mind paying fees to bring in liberal speakers, but they're not bringing in a fair, unbiased spectrum of speakers," Dinkins said. "I'd like to see someone from the other side too."

However, Dinkins also expressed disagreement with the extremity of her views.

"The university should realize that many students on campus disagree with these views," he said. "It's not just because she's a liberal speaker, it's because she's a communist extremist."

Sudholt didn't agree with the accusations written on the protest flyer and explained that at times, they were volatile.

"Yeah, I remember that picture," she said looking at the mug shot. "She was never found guilty."

Davis received applause after asking why we now assume education is a commodity to be purchased.

"Education should be available to those who need it and want it," she said.

In fact, Davis said we should educate prisoners instead of leaving them in prison because throwing criminals in prison only relieves us of finding a way to deal with the real problem.

"The prison becomes a dumping ground for issues we are afraid to confront," she said.

Davis ended her speech with advice on expanding concepts.

"My advice is to be creative. Be innovative. Be bold," Davis said. "Do the thing your parents would not do or would not like, simply because as we get older, we become more cautious."