Angela Davis, a renowned scholar and activist, is pronounced as an-JEH-luh DAY-vis. The first syllable is stressed and pronounced as "an" with a short "a" sound followed by a "j" sound. The second syllable is pronounced as "luh" with a short "u" sound. The final syllable is pronounced as "vis" with a long "a" sound followed by a "z" sound. The spelling of the name is based on the standard English alphabet, with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) offering a helpful guide to its pronunciation.
Angela Davis is an American political activist, scholar, and author, renowned for her contributions to social justice movements. Born on January 26, 1944, in Birmingham, Alabama, Davis emerged as a prominent figure during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. She became affiliated with the Communist Party USA and the Black Panther Party, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly African Americans.
Davis attained significant recognition following her arrest and trial in 1970. Charged with murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy as a result of her alleged involvement in an armed courthouse incident, she attracted international attention and support from various activists, who perceived the charges as politically motivated due to her radical views. Davis was acquitted in 1972 after spending over a year in jail, solidifying her status as an important symbol of resistance against racial and systemic injustice.
Recognized for her intellectual contributions, Davis has also been an influential educator. She served as a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she engaged in critical discussions on topics such as feminism, Marxism, and the prison-industrial complex. Her writings, including books such as "Women, Race, and Class" and "Are Prisons Obsolete?", have further contributed to the discourse on intersectionality, feminism, and racial oppression. Angela Davis continues to inspire and challenge societal norms through her activism, scholarship, and public speaking engagements, promoting a vision of equality, justice, and liberation for all.
The name "Angela Davis" does not have a specific etymology because it is a combination of two separate personal names. "Angela" is of Greek origin and means "messenger" or "angel". "Davis" is a surname of English origin, derived from the patronymic form of the given name "David", meaning "beloved" in Hebrew. Therefore, the etymology of Angela Davis can be understood by examining the historical origins and meanings of the names "Angela" and "Davis", rather than as one cohesive word.