First, I am grateful to Jeff, King of the Bean, for first telling me about Angela Davis coming to town, and then for following up with me about it. Her talk was one of the best things I’ve seen in Birmingham. I agreed with almost everything she had to say.

First, she talked about how diversity does not necessarily always equal good. We have one of the most diverse administrations – and also one of the worst. Too often people attribute diversity alone as a virtue, but that is not the case. There were lots of comparisons between her own childhood and that of a certain female Secretary of State, who both grew up in Birmingham during the civil rights movement. She attributed the differences between herself and Condeleeza as differences in how success is measured; Condeleeza is interested in the success of herself, while Davis is interested in the success of her community. I found that statement to be offsetting in its egotism, but as Davis is a lifelong Socialist, I suppose she probably really does mean it.

Second, she spoke about how racism is still prevalent worldwide. Her biggest example of this is the number of blacks in prison. In the state of Alabama (a state of approx. 4.5 million people: 72% white, 27% black) – there are 30,000 people in Alabama prisons. 60% are black males and 35% are white males.

She also spoke in favor of prison abolition. I found this fascinating, and while it appeals to my anarchistic tendencies, there is one particular recent news story that makes me grateful for an institutionalized prison.

I do believe that racism is still blatant and prevalent here; racial tension always seems to simmer right underneath the surface of everyday life. There are numerous protests against an Asian convenience store owner, who supposedly beat up a woman for stealing a bag of ice. (The Birmingham City Council has suspended his business license – without any sort of a trial…it was later reinstated after appeal). The KKK just held a march in athens, alabama. There are places in downtown and southside where I have witnessed the old “Private Club” trick – where blacks are refused service because “this is a private club” – when in fact it is not. The Jena Six is another recent example of the type of racism and violence that was thought to be long dead.

It makes me angry – because in many ways I am sympathetic with anyone who is oppressed – and yet defensive because I cannot change the color of my skin or the privilege that is bestowed upon me because of it. If there was a natural disaster in Ensley, would I go there to try to help people? I would like to think so, but I’m not sure.