Two weeks ago I had a life changing experience. Adolfo called me on my way home from work and said casually, “Hey, I got tickets to see this civil rights activist, Angela Davis speak. Its in Forrest Grove, wanna go? I think you’ll like her”. Lately, I’ve been feeling very lethargic and uninterested in attending speakers, but on this day, I was all for it. “Ok, lets go” – I had never heard a Civil Rights activist speak, this could be interesting.

During the hour long drive from Portland, Adolfo subtly hinted at a few pieces of information about her history, explaining who the Black Panther group was, and that she was once imprisoned for her ties with the Communist Party. Who was this woman we were going to listen to? What was she doing speaking at a university in the middle of no where out side of Portland? What are we getting ourselves into?

As we walked into the gymnasium at Pacific University, my eyes told me this was going to be quite an event. I believe there was more diversity in terms of skin color, ages, gender identity, sexual orientation, and the beautiful groups of humans gathered together in that gymnasium than in all of Oregon. It was wonderful, and I was excited.

Her introduction gave more hints about her history and what an honor it was to be in the audience. As I listened, a tingle crept up my spine. Who was this woman? What had she experienced, And why have I never before begun to question and critic our society the way she had done for all of her life?

As she spoke, my soul was lifted. I furiously took notes, writing historical events, names, and concepts I had never before heard of. I leaned over to ask Adolfo naïve questions like, “what is she referring to?”, “what is the proper term for ____”, and a stupid comment that came to mind that “I always felt like I needed permission to talk about race since I wasn’t affected” – oh the privilege!

Her speech shook me. It slammed me right up against a wall, stole my pocket change, and opened my eyes while forcing me to become uncomfortable with the way things are. When she finished answering questions and wrapped up her speech, I raced to the table where her books were being sold and bought all of them. Since that speech, and working my way through her wonderful writings, I have learned so much about the society we live in. She has opened my eyes to the insurmountable social injustices taking place and has led me to question things such as, Why is it that we accept racism, sexism, and poverty to still exist in a nation of so many resources? When did our society start believing the lie that we are ALL FREE? This is so very untrue.

Some of the other major topics Ms. Davis addresses are the industrial prison complex, a modern day form of slavery, and the feminist movement, which is not just for women, but a continuation of the civil rights movement benefiting all of HUMANITY. Her words of wisdom have awoken me from an ignorant state. I’m not satisfied with the huge disparities and inequalities of basic human rights still engulfing our nation. I am thrilled to continue reading, and plan to educate myself further and begin to take actions within the movements. First and foremost, I would like to find a way to join the Black Panther movement, or find a current day group fighting for the same ideals..

I think Adolfo was right, I really like her. and I think everyone should go find a copy of “The Meaning of Freedom” right now, and get back to me when you’re done.