Angela Y. Davis is an American Professor, writer and political activist. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, she became politically active as a young student, and was drawn to Socialist and Marxist politics. In 1970, Davis spent a year in jail due to her involvement with political activism that turned violent. She was released in 1972, and continued with her political organizing and academic work. In 1997 she co-founded Critical Resistance, an organization working to abolish the prison system. She is currently a Distinguished Professor Emerita at the University of California.