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stephpl's review against another edition
4.0
Cette collection de lettres, de poèmes et d'essais offre un portrait de l'incarcération d'Angela Davis en 1970, mais dépasse largement la situation individuelle de cette dernière, débordant de réflexions sur les prisonniers politiques, le système carcéral américain et sa fonction vue par divers militants et écrivains de l'époque. C'était fascinant de déceler le courage infaillible des auteurs de chaque passage face à l'adversité gigantesque à laquelle Davis et tant d'autres ont été confronté à travers l'appareil étatique et juridique qui était bien déterminé à anéantir, à travers leur emprisonnement, tout ce qu'ils représentaient. Un peu doux-amer, j'avouerai aussi, de lire cette superbe anthologie en 2021, et de constater que moult points soulevés sont encore super justes et pleins d'acuité.
Je savais qu'Angela Davis était un monument, mais pouvoir lire un discours aussi articulé et limpide est incroyable, si on se rappelle qu'elle était âgée de 26-27 ans au moment de son incarcération. Juste wow.
Je savais qu'Angela Davis était un monument, mais pouvoir lire un discours aussi articulé et limpide est incroyable, si on se rappelle qu'elle était âgée de 26-27 ans au moment de son incarcération. Juste wow.
alexandraleung's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up - I wish it had been more concisely edited + that there was a piece included at the beginning or end with updates/present day commentary, but as a whole it was a powerful and enlightening collection.
salama_assata's review against another edition
5.0
Whew. This was a tough and long read. I started highlighting and annotating lines so that I was sure I was taking in the full meaning of this literature. I'm sure there are stretches where every page is underlined or marked in some way.
This book was phenomenal, enlightening, and brilliant compiled. It did justice in not just informing me of Angela Davis' struggle but also the struggle of all political prisoners. Like Assata Shakur's biography I will carry the message of this book everywhere with me.
Its message will always be relevant and of profound importance.
This book was phenomenal, enlightening, and brilliant compiled. It did justice in not just informing me of Angela Davis' struggle but also the struggle of all political prisoners. Like Assata Shakur's biography I will carry the message of this book everywhere with me.
Its message will always be relevant and of profound importance.
salama_assata's review against another edition
5.0
Whew. This was a tough and long read. I started highlighting and annotating lines so that I was sure I was taking in the full meaning of this literature. I'm sure there are stretches where every page is underlined or marked in some way.
This book was phenomenal, enlightening, and brilliant compiled. It did justice in not just informing me of Angela Davis' struggle but also the struggle of all political prisoners. Like Assata Shakur's biography I will carry the message of this book everywhere with me.
Its message will always be relevant and of profound importance.
This book was phenomenal, enlightening, and brilliant compiled. It did justice in not just informing me of Angela Davis' struggle but also the struggle of all political prisoners. Like Assata Shakur's biography I will carry the message of this book everywhere with me.
Its message will always be relevant and of profound importance.
lovelybookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
3.5
This is an account of Davis' incarceration, and an analysis of the U.S. prison system and how it targets Black organizers. I listened to the audiobook but it was a bit hard to follow. I wish I'd read a physical copy instead.
janiswong's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
A fantastic book that was gifted to me. A must read for everyone as many acts we do in our daily life can be resistance, but in particular, the book highlights the stuggles related to race and how it permiates our everyday.
thisguyreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.25
euangepp's review against another edition
5.0
Within this sublime collection of essays, letters, courtroom statements and poems (Ericka Huggins can WRITE), the conditions within Californian prisons, the broadening definition of a “political prisoner” and a person’s right to self-representation in court are all examined through the lenses of the lives of Black radicals such as Bobby Seale, the Soledad Brothers and Angela Davis. It shows how unjust the justice system was (still is) and contemplates whether “innocent until proven guilty” has ever really been the case for Black people.
This book deserves five stars purely for its significance as an historical document but it also shines a light on and causes us to think about the modern day justice system - has much really changed?
I would highly HIGHLY recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about the Black struggle in the justice system/more about the lives of key Black radicals in the 70s. Overall it is not hard to follow (although there are a couple of obscure references to events/people but it does not really impede on your understanding of the subject matter). In certain places - specifically in regards to the details of Angela Davis’ imprisonment and the details of the Soledad Brothers’ case - it can seem repetitive but it wasn’t so much so that it warrants a star to be taken off. Truly a fantastic collection!
This book deserves five stars purely for its significance as an historical document but it also shines a light on and causes us to think about the modern day justice system - has much really changed?
I would highly HIGHLY recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about the Black struggle in the justice system/more about the lives of key Black radicals in the 70s. Overall it is not hard to follow (although there are a couple of obscure references to events/people but it does not really impede on your understanding of the subject matter). In certain places - specifically in regards to the details of Angela Davis’ imprisonment and the details of the Soledad Brothers’ case - it can seem repetitive but it wasn’t so much so that it warrants a star to be taken off. Truly a fantastic collection!