Vibrations for a New People: A conversation with Angela Davis, Part II

Part II of a KPIX public affairs program produced in January 1972 which aired on Monday February 7, 1972 at 9:00pm on Ch.5 in the Bay Area, hosted by Rev. Cecil Williams featuring an interview with Angela Davis in jail. Subtitled 'A conversation with Angela Davis' this was the first time Davis was interviewed on US television since being imprisoned 16 months earlier and it focuses on Davis's political philosophy in relation to civil rights and social justice. Davis discusses: what she means by "revolutionary" and "communist"; the misleading perception which equates revolution with violence; the Soledad Brothers; her personal relationships with George Jackson and his family; the concept of U.S. justice and rehabilitation; systemic racism and the use of lobotomy and drugs on violent offenders; California's use of indeterminate prison sentencing; women in prison and Wesley Wells. At one point, when asked to clarify her position on what it means to be a 'communist', she explains that: "I have a very strong love for oppressed people, for my people, I want to see them free ... I want to see all oppressed people throughout the world free. And I realize that the only way that we can do this is by moving towards a revolutionary society." This film was produced by Len Schlosser and directed by Fred Joslyn. It was edited by Glen Carroll, with camerawork by Glen Carroll and Richard Scott. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.

Note: this 16mm film print is preserved in the Special Collections vault and was transferred in 4K (4096 x 2970) using a Lasergraphics ScanStation film scanner, in December 2021. This program originally aired as one continuous interview on TV but we're streaming it in 2-parts online, to preserve the picture quality.