Angela Davis is probably one of the most well-known political activists of our time and one of the most influential women in history. She was born on Jan. 26, 1944, in Birmingham, AL, and went on to become a philosopher, academic, author and social theorist, in addition to her activism. She did a lot of work toward abolishing the prison-industrial complex along with improving civil rights, feminist causes and more. Davis is currently a professor emerita of history of consciousness and feminist studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, per Britannica. She’s written many books and had countless speaking engagements, and in doing so, has given the world some great quotes, making her a good candidate for our quote of the day. And today’s quote is about working toward uplifting others as you are lifting yourself, too.
Davis was exceptional academically; per The History Makers, Davis got a scholarship to finish high school in New York City, then went to school in Germany for two years and the University of Paris for one. As the New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity reported, she came back to the U.S. and got another scholarship to Brandeis University, studying Philosophy. She then earned her M.A. degree from the University of California, San Diego.
According to the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC), she was an active member of the Black Panther Party and the Communist Party. She came out as a lesbian in an interview with Out magazine in 1997, per NMAAHC, and has since continued to fight oppression that the Black community, women and the LGBTQ+ community all face.
With all of her activism, writings and speaking out against injustice and inequality, Davis has had many great quotes, of course. And the one we’re focusing on today is specific to one of her causes, but can also apply to many people in marginalized communities.
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Quote of the Day by Angela Davis
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“We must always attempt to lift as we climb.”
This quote comes from Angela Y. Davis’s 1990 book, Women, Culture & Politics, in the chapter titled, “Let Us All Rise Together: Radical Perspectives on Empowerment for Afro-American Women.” This book is a collection of speeches and writings by Davis that align with the themes of the book, specifically “the political and social changes of the past decade as they are concerned with the struggle for racial, sexual, and economic equality,” per the book’s description.
Early on in this chapter, Davis mentions something similar to our quote of the day, when she shares the motto for the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs (NACWC): “Lifting As We Climb.”
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Davis starts this chapter talking about how “the concept of empowerment is hardly new to Afro-American women,” because they were constantly looking for ways to help each other, since Black women were not included in other fights for equality, such as the “racially homogenous women’s rights movement” of the 19th century. She also notes that the NACWC was “more openly political in nature,” and they welcomed all women.
Davis explains their “Lifting As We Climb” motto as this: they must climb in a way that guarantees the success and empowerment of “all of our sisters, regardless of social class,” including their brothers, so that they can all climb with them as well. She states that the most effective strategies to empower Black women in America are those that follow that motto.
“Afro-American women bring to the women’s movement a strong tradition of struggle around issues that politically link women to the most crucial progressive causes. This is the meaning of the motto, ‘Lifting As We Climb.’ This approach reflects the often unarticulated interests and aspirations of masses of women of all racial backgrounds,” she writes.
Women shouldn’t just fight for one group’s interests—like just the right to vote—but instead focus on all women’s interests or issues that hinder all women, such as racist violence, higher wages, working conditions, homophobia, attacks on reproductive rights, ageism, ableism and more. Essentially, whatever is going to guarantee a better future for our children and their children’s children is what we should fight for, lifting as we climb.
So, even though Davis used this quote to specifically talk about how Black women (and men) should think about their work toward equity and equal rights, it can also apply to many marginalized groups. Or even anyone working toward a better tomorrow.
If we are climbing toward a better world, we shouldn’t just do it for ourselves; we should rise to the top in a way that leaves a ladder behind us. We should want equality and justice for all, and give those climbing behind us the tools or paths to also ascend.
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More Quotes from Angela Davis
“We have to talk about liberating minds as well as liberating society.”“If they come for me in the morning, they will come for you in the night.”“Radical simply means 'grasping things at the root.'”“You can't criticize people for wanting to have a decent life or wanting to live decently.”"Whenever you conceptualize social justice struggles, you will always defeat your own purposes if you cannot imagine the people around whom you are struggling as equal partners."“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”Up Next:
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