Angela Davis Delivers Message of Hope Amidst UNAM Tensions

The talk by philosopher and activist Angela Davis and professor of gender studies Gina Dent at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) unfolded amidst palpable tension and emotion. Attendees who had queued for over 10 hours to secure a spot in the Miguel Covarrubias hall filled the auditorium with protest chants against forced disappearances, the conflict in Palestine, and in support of the feminist movement, eagerly awaiting Davis's appearance.

Davis eventually took the stage to a strong ovation, which was immediately interrupted when a young man unfurled a banner reading “UNAM is criminal and paramilitary.” While the audience initially supported his slogan, their patience waned as the protest extended for about 15 minutes. They began to urge that Angela Davis be allowed to speak. Rosa Beltrán, head of UNAM Culture, attempted to dialogue with the demonstrator, saying, “Let her speak, you have made your point, we have heard you, we want to hear Angela Davis.”

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Let her speak, you have made your point, we have heard you, we want to hear Angela Davis.

Upon finally taking the floor, Davis expressed her surprise at the audience's energy. She hoped this energy could be cultivated to achieve real change, aiming to abolish prisons, evolve beyond capitalism, and end feminicide in Mexico. Gina Dent, a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, added, “The passion you have is a different culture from what we have in our universities. We don't talk about causes without knowing more about them.”

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I cannot imagine a world without books. The only way we have to prove freedom is through reading.

The conversation began with the topic of "books." Davis stated, “I cannot imagine a world without books. The only way we have to prove freedom is through reading.” Dent, who is also Davis's partner, added, "Perhaps books do not solve everything, but slowing down to read and try to understand is what we believe in as academics, writers, and feminists.” Davis also highlighted that despite the violence perpetrated by the state of Israel against Palestinians, it has one of the highest literacy rates, a fact she learned during a trip to the country with Dent.

During the talk, they presented their book “Abolition Feminism Now,” co-authored with Erica R. Meiners and Beth Richie. While acknowledging the challenge of writing collaboratively, Davis noted that the process reinforced the importance of creating community and collective thought.

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Perhaps books do not solve everything, but slowing down to read and try to understand is what we believe in as academics, writers, and feminists.