As a black woman at one of the largest HBCU’s in the country I was empowered when I witnessed lectures this past spring by two notable African American intellectuals. Angela Davis and Cornel West visited Tallahassee a few months ago, experiencing both lectures one at my university (Davis) and West at Florida State University, were moments I will remember for eternity. Both are influential activists and distinguished individuals due to their strength rhetorically in the past and presently.
The outspoken Cornel West, a 59 year old Harvard and Princeton grad, discussed many topics at his lecture at Florida State on behalf of their Student Government’s Golden Tribe Lecture Series. He discussed democracy, the education system and all subjects connecting these subjects. The lecture had an astounding impact on me. It pushed me to express myself wholly to each individual I connect with orally and through writing. As I took notes at FSU’s Rose Hall I felt his words penetrating my ears and took them within my brain to always look back upon.
Angela Davis is known for her connection to the Black Panther Party and the American Communist Party altered my method of thinking. Her rhetoric impacted my thoughts completely due to the level of intellect her choice of words held. Davis chose to speak about prison abolition, black murders and black families in our country. Her lecture at FAMU’s Lee Hall was powerful and I truly believe it stirred the minds and psyches of my peers.