Angela Davis the black lesbian radical scholar who went from political prisoner to revolutionary icon, to public intellectual is being celebrated in a brand new exhibition opening in San Francisco’s GLBT History Museum soon.
Curated by collector Lisbet Tellefsen and historian Amy Sueyoshi the Exhibit considers some of the roles Davis has played in the American political imaginary and explores the complexity and impact of her life across nearly half a century, and will draw on rare posters and ephemera from a private collection
Davis first came to public attention in the late 1960s with her dismissal from the faculty of the University of California due to her membership in the Communist Party and with her involvement in the Black Panther Party and her trial on charges of conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder for which she was acquitted.
Her outspoken activism and organizing efforts attracted both harsh criticism and strong support, resulting in her becoming a globally recognized symbol of radical resistance. Today, Davis continues her political work, including challenging mainstream LGBTQ movements to see service in the armed forces and participation in marriage with a critical eye.
“It’s especially important now to be reminded of the radical roots of queer activism, particularly through African American women such as Angela Davis,” says Sueyoshi. “My hope is that history will honor the queer women of color and other activists who came up during times of extreme repression. The graphics displayed in ‘OUTspoken’ not only serve as a visual reminder of the power of speaking out; they also can inspire us to continue working for a world without exploitation.”
The GLBT History Museum 4127 18th St., San Francisco http://www.glbthistory.org/museum/outspoken/ Friday, February 9 7:00 – 9:00 p.m Admission: $5.00. Free for members.
