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solly's review against another edition
5.0
Slightly repetitive if you read it quickly, because she uses the same examples in different speeches (makes sense since they were addressed to different people!) but still a very important read if you're any way shape or form invested in struggles for freedom and the way they intersect and influence each other.
I'm very glad I got more into nonfiction these past two years because nonfic about social justice always make me feel somewhat hopeful. There's a bit in this book about progress and regression, and how you shouldn't stop fighting just because it takes time and you can't be sure you'll see the better world you're fighting for and that felt good. I'm pretty naturally cynical ("is there really a way we win against capitalism, white supremacy and other systems of oppression?") but hey, I fight it because there's no point to it. There's a point to hope, though, even long-term ones. ANYWAY rambling over haha this was great, I'm sad no one taught me about Davis in class, but I might retroactively correct this by giving some extracts of her speeches to my students to study later this year
I'm very glad I got more into nonfiction these past two years because nonfic about social justice always make me feel somewhat hopeful. There's a bit in this book about progress and regression, and how you shouldn't stop fighting just because it takes time and you can't be sure you'll see the better world you're fighting for and that felt good. I'm pretty naturally cynical ("is there really a way we win against capitalism, white supremacy and other systems of oppression?") but hey, I fight it because there's no point to it. There's a point to hope, though, even long-term ones. ANYWAY rambling over haha this was great, I'm sad no one taught me about Davis in class, but I might retroactively correct this by giving some extracts of her speeches to my students to study later this year
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A collection of essays, interviews, and speeches by Angela Y. Davis on a range of topics related to justice and liberation, particularly anti-Black racism, Palestine, and the civil rights movement.
It's accessible and well written, I'd be interested to know if this book has persuaded anyone further left. I wasn't very persuaded because going in I already agreed with most of Davis's views, but I did find it very educational, especially in regards to the civil rights movement and the radical reconstruction era immediately after the civil war. I also appreciated how she discussed intersectionality in how various struggles are interconnected with each other.
The nature of this being assorted writings means it gets a bit repetitive after awhile and that it doesn't always go as in depth as I would've wanted. I'd love to hear more about what her vision of a prison-free world is and active steps that can be taken to freeing Palestine.
I also disagree with some of her takes on Obama, though maybe it is just the nature of reading this book in 2024. She criticizes the idea that Obama signaled a post-racial America, but did also view his win being a step in the right direction and him as someone who could've caused greater change for good. Though I remember this very much being a sentiment of hope during his presidency, it's hard to reconcile going somewhat-easy on him in a book that also discusses Palestine given during his presidency he did continue support for Israel and to this day is an outspoken Zionist. He also did actively continue terrorizing the Middle East in general. There is also the added effect of hindsight given after his presidency we had the hell that was Trump's administration, showing that he was not as effective in changing the U.S. as we had all hoped.
Though I have my critiques of Freedom Is A Constant Struggle, I do think it's an important book that should be read by people interested in activism and leftist politics. There's a lot of food for thought in it and it provides a lot of important context to politics. It's especially important now given how much larger the free Palestine movement has grown, though perhaps take the sections about Obama with a grain of salt. I'm interested in reading more from and about Davis, as well as reading more theory in general.
It's accessible and well written, I'd be interested to know if this book has persuaded anyone further left. I wasn't very persuaded because going in I already agreed with most of Davis's views, but I did find it very educational, especially in regards to the civil rights movement and the radical reconstruction era immediately after the civil war. I also appreciated how she discussed intersectionality in how various struggles are interconnected with each other.
The nature of this being assorted writings means it gets a bit repetitive after awhile and that it doesn't always go as in depth as I would've wanted. I'd love to hear more about what her vision of a prison-free world is and active steps that can be taken to freeing Palestine.
I also disagree with some of her takes on Obama, though maybe it is just the nature of reading this book in 2024. She criticizes the idea that Obama signaled a post-racial America, but did also view his win being a step in the right direction and him as someone who could've caused greater change for good. Though I remember this very much being a sentiment of hope during his presidency, it's hard to reconcile going somewhat-easy on him in a book that also discusses Palestine given during his presidency he did continue support for Israel and to this day is an outspoken Zionist. He also did actively continue terrorizing the Middle East in general. There is also the added effect of hindsight given after his presidency we had the hell that was Trump's administration, showing that he was not as effective in changing the U.S. as we had all hoped.
Though I have my critiques of Freedom Is A Constant Struggle, I do think it's an important book that should be read by people interested in activism and leftist politics. There's a lot of food for thought in it and it provides a lot of important context to politics. It's especially important now given how much larger the free Palestine movement has grown, though perhaps take the sections about Obama with a grain of salt. I'm interested in reading more from and about Davis, as well as reading more theory in general.
queerlybee's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.0
this book is an incredibly important read, especially in 2024, as a reminder about how the struggles of different marginalized communities are all intimately interconnected and that they're generations upon generations old struggles that we aren't going to solve over night but our work is valuable. I'm not a huge fan of the essay/speech style compilation personally as some of them are quite repetitive, dry, or don't flow as well into the overall narrative, but I still think there's a ton to glean from it as anglea davis' work is always incredible.
lindsayisliterate's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
lambfield892's review against another edition
5.0
The essays, speeches, interviews and articles were well chosen and edited nicely to make a well put together work of non-fiction. Highly recommend.
kawalthall's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
lucybbookstuff's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
This definitely transcends rating.
Great introduction to Angela Davis. Can't believe it's taken me this long. Absolutely looking forward to engaging with more of her work.
Great introduction to Angela Davis. Can't believe it's taken me this long. Absolutely looking forward to engaging with more of her work.
erikadelcid's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5