How an FBI Poster Became a Black Power Symbol | The Bigger Picture with Vincent Brown | PBS

How did an FBI Wanted poster, intended to make a criminal out of activist and academic Angela Y. Davis, transform her into a symbol of Black Power and liberation? Host Vincent Brown considers the impact of Davis’ image and the ways in which style can be a form of political activism. Professor Davis also shares her own complicated feelings about the image, which have evolved over the past 50 years.

FOLLOW THE BIGGER PICTURE:

FOLLOW US:

#BiggerPicturePBS #MostWanted #History #Photography #PBS

ABOUT THE SERIES:
Images can tell powerful stories. One iconic photograph can symbolize an entire era. But if we expand the frame and examine the moment in which it was taken, a very different story can emerge. In this series of documentary shorts, Harvard University historian Dr. Vincent Brown meets with curators, photographers and other experts to challenge common assumptions about iconic American images.

THE BIGGER PICTURE is a co-production of Timestamp Media LLC and The WNET Group, in association with Harvard University’s History Design Studio at the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, and Vision Maker Media.

Major funding for THE BIGGER PICTURE was provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional funding was provided by the Anderson Family Charitable Fund, the Tamara L. Harris Foundation, the William Talbott Hillman Foundation, the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Additional funding for the digital production of THE BIGGER PICTURE was provided by Chasing the Dream – a public media initiative from The WNET Group, reporting on poverty, opportunity, and justice in America, and supported by The JPB Foundation, The Peter G. Peterson and Joan Ganz Cooney Fund and Sue and Edgar Wachenheim, III.

[ognewwavy]

My Mother was arrested and held overnight over that poster. She was a Teen catching a bus and was detained and it took my Grandparents 24 hours to even find her. They used that poster to harass any black woman that resembled Professor Davis.

[PamArmistead]

My own sister was questioned by FBI at her college. Even though my sister looked nothing like Angela. The reason because my sister had an afro. My sister now is a retired attorney.

[amherst]

I realize people have short attention spans these days but this deserves a longer exploration -- also have to say I'm grateful to have grown up in the days when Angela Davis meant more than her afro.

[marcinafaithalbert]

I loved watching this. Thank you! Ms. Davis has always been an inspiration to my international civil rights work.

[TheSanctifiedMusicChannel]

Love how yall said the full name “The Black Panther Party for Self Defense”

[lebeautyprenuer]

They’d still lock this woman up as an elder but won’t arrest Emmit tills murderer

[blakemiddlebee]

As a white boy the afro still holds its place a symbol of black empowerment to me and I love seeing it. Also think its beautiful! Always be proud of who you are.

[Darknamja]

Angela Davis and the Black Panthers influenced my way of looking at the world when I was in school during the late '60s and early '70s. Could you imagine if they had access to the social media platform of today? 🤔

[cynthialangley]

Angela is so beautiful, even in the fake mug shot. Her style is forever iconic. Respect! 🔥

[wesleywright]

Angela Davis was once a guest at a party, my grandma hosted in the late 1970’s. My mom told me about how she got a chance to meet her, before her stepfather kicked all the kids out of the party.

[davidcrawford]

Hello Mr Brown. My name is David Crawford and Angela helped me as a child immensely when she lived next door to us on 90th Avenue in Oakland. I wanted to thank her personally for her kindness and support for me as a young black child born in Germany as my father was in the Military. We moved to Oakland and she helped me to navigate coming from Europe to the hood. She saved my life and I wanted to thank her personally. Could you possibly send her this message from me.? Thank you very much.

[dizmop]

"why are you wearing your hair natural?" an ironic, oxymoronic question

[gregletbetter]

I do not know the complete history of my Big Sister but I know I love her and she is a brave woman, I admire her highly.
Greg Letbetter Sr.

[kendrag.]

Much respect to Mrs Davis as being a woman and sacrificing her civil rights for black people That's what drawn me to her #real people #realissues

[cantkeepmedown]

This is great! What a phenomenal woman and she deserves to receive her flowers while she’s here, hopefully Tamron Hall or Sherri Shepherd will have her on their show in the near future.

[jazzminb]

They wrongfully put Huey Newton in jail too

[shivanidumas]

Quite a memory. Thank you. After college, I was fortunate to be hired By Dr Joseph Okpaku, The Third Press, NY. And worked with Joe on the publication of Angela Davis’ first book, If They Come In The Morning: Voices Of Resistance published in 1971

[crowfoot]

Some of my family members had connections with the Panthers as indigenous people there were strong bonds between the Panthers and AIM members. As people of color there has always been a fight to be treated as humans not savages and slaves.

[Shinemodel]

Those wanted posters are beautiful. I'm definitely getting a shirt made of this

[philb.]

Peace and blessings to the incredible and inspirational LEGEND Angela Davis! The courage that Ms. Davis and others showed during that era is truly remarkable and serves as an inspiration to those that study history!