Angela Davis speaks to overflow crowd at USI's Nelson Mandela dedication
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Maybe one lecture cannot change the world, as renowned social activist Angela Davis noted Wednesday night at the University of Southern Indiana.
But judging by the resounding applause from the packed house at USI's 2020 Nelson Mandela Social Justice Day, the keynote speaker's appearance was a memorable one.
"I think it was a very transformative experience for a lot of people," said Sakina Hughes, chair of the Mandela Committee which organized Wednesday's event. "A lot of us hadn't heard that perspective before, and it's really connecting people to the wider national and international community."
As Davis walked to the podium to address the crowd, she was met with a warm reception from USI students, faculty and community members in attendance. Nearly 650 people filled the seats of Carter Hall, forcing the university to direct hundreds of other spectators to "overflow rooms," where they played a live recording of Davis' speech on projector screens.
She said giving the address at Wednesday's event was a moving experience. It was the first Nelson Mandela dedication event she's ever attended in the United States.
“Back in the day when we were struggling against apartheid, we used to throw all kinds of events,” Davis said. “But to have a day dedicated to Nelson Mandela as we have a day dedicated to Martin Luther King is really important. I was very impressed by the work that has been done on this campus.”
During her presentation, titled “Democracy and Civil Engagement,” Davis addressed several topics centered on her distaste for the prison system and the importance of people engaging in community practices to combat injustices.
"I think the audience was really receptive, but I'm hoping just a few people that were there raised a couple questions that will motivate them to do work," she said. "One lecture can't change the world."
During her speech, Davis recounted her own brushes with the U.S. justice system. In 1970, Davis purchased several firearms that were later used in a courtroom attack in California resulting in the murder of four people.
A warrant was issued for Davis' arrest, and she was placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitive List. She was prosecuted for three capital felonies, including conspiracy to murder. After spending over a year in jail, she was acquitted of all charges in 1972.
Since her release, Davis has served as a university professor and traveled the world to speak out against the nation's prison and current immigration system.
Hughes said it was important for community members to attend Davis' speech to get a wider view of the world through others' life experiences, especially one as prominent as Davis.
USI student Perci Hale agreed, saying Davis' presence on campus was positive for students, especially those of color, because of the absence of racial and cultural representation on campus.
"It's rare that we have representation, especially representation at this mass of a scale," Hale said. "So, it was wonderful for us to see this larger-than-life figure for the black community. It's also great seeing people who aren't of color and didn't know Davis come out, support and learn everything that she stands for."
For Davis, the biggest thing she wants people to take away from her keynote speech is the "interconnection" between all issues, not just those affecting one particular group.
"We don't have to compete with one another," she said. "We don't have to say that it's more important to be involved in the struggle against racism than it is to be in the struggle against misogyny. We know to contest misogyny is to also contest racism. It's the interrelationship, the non-competitive connection among all these issues."