Angela Davis speaks at Randolph College MLK Jr. Celebration
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — Author and Activist Angela Davis was the guest speaker at this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Randolph College.
Davis has spent over 50 years fighting economic, racial, and gender justice.
“I do believe that this is the time when the majority of people in this country want to move in the direction of justice and equality,” she said on stage.
Davis took questions from the audience after a discussion led by Wornie Reed, a professor of sociology and Africana studies at Virginia Tech and the director of its Race and Social Policy Research Center.
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“It renews my passion for creating a world where everyone has a chance to thrive no matter their background where they grew up or what circumstances they’re experiencing,” said audience member Will Darden after the event.
Not without controversy, she was acquitted in a case that put her on the FBI’s Most Wanted list in the 70s, has spoken out against Israel in their longstanding conflict with Palestine, and was criticized for being a communist.
“One of the things this College has always done well is provide our students and community members with a broad range of perspectives,” said Randolph College President Sue Ott in a release. “In order to teach our students to think critically and to develop their own opinions and viewpoints, we believe they must be exposed to different points of view and experiences. Dr. Davis is a prominent political activist, scholar, and author, who has made it her mission to share her life story and challenge audiences to join the struggle for racial, economic, and gender justice. She is an important figure in American history who will bring unique and valuable insight to our students as we honor Martin Luther King, Jr.”
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