Author Archives: Amira Davis

Culture, Liberation, and #BlackLivesMatter

Posted on 09/03/2015 by Amira Davis

During the early 70s, Amilcar Cabral wrote extensively on the theme of liberation and the collective persona of subjugated people expressed as culture. His libratory praxis offered a context to dialectically engage notions of freedom and strategies for its attainment. … Continue reading →

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The Community Saturday School and the Ongoing Campaign for Literacy

Posted on 01/31/2014 by Amira Davis

“History has shown that, up to the present time, revolutionary regimes have been the only ones capable of organizing successful mass literacy campaigns. From the Soviet Union to China, from Vietnam to Cuba, all revolutionary governments have given high priority … Continue reading →

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Her Name Was Hadiya, And She Was Killed By A Gun

Posted on 02/08/2013 by Amira Davis

More than 500 young children have died from being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” (from an anti-gang violence PSA by Hadiya Pendleton and crew) “none among us should feel unsafe moving about/through the world, on the earth, … Continue reading →

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A Great Literacy Campaign for African America in the 21st Century

Posted on 01/27/2011 by Amira Davis

SOME BACKGROUND The crisis in public education has been likened toa modern day Civil Rights crisis and a human rights tragedy. At center is the debate over educating ex-slaves. Big business insiders in seats of educational authority, like Arnie Duncan … Continue reading →

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A Matter of Time

Posted on 02/02/2009 by Amira Davis

”I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, (Yes, sir) however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, (No sir) because “truth crushed to earth will rise again.” (Yes, sir) How long? Not long, (Yes, … Continue reading →

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The Contradictions in Signs of Wonder

Posted on 11/01/2008 by Amira Davis

Like millions of others around the world, I shed tears at 10:00 CST on November 4 when Barack Hussein Obama became the 44th president of the United States. I cried because my daughters, first time voters, were able to see … Continue reading →

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The Labor of Black Women

Posted on 05/01/2008 by Amira Davis

IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, Black women have labored harder within its borders than any other group. Black women have constituted the most disposal segment of the American labor force, working in the least desirable, least paid positions. Not only … Continue reading →

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Dead-ication

Posted on 03/26/2008 by Amira Davis

To my great, great, grandmother, Vinnie Banks, great-grandmothers, Priscilla Subtlet, Julia Jones, Carrie May Scott, my grandmothers Millie Jones-Gamble and Fannie Davis, and all those who have returned through my womb. The circle was drawn six intersecting lines —radius bound— … Continue reading →

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Reclaiming Black History

Posted on 02/26/2008 by Amira Davis

Se wo were fina wo san kofa ayenki. (It is not taboo to go back and fetch what has been lost.) Akan proverb A couple of years ago during a combined 80th birthday celebration for my mother and the first … Continue reading →

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From the Abolition of the Slave Trade to the Exploitation of Black Women

Posted on 01/26/2008 by Amira Davis

ON JANUARY 18, 1808, A FEDERAL LAW ended the trans- Atlantic importation of slaves intp the United States. So, as a woman descended from a motherline of Black women, I am compelled to bear witness to this bicentennial of the … Continue reading →

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