How an FBI Poster Became a Black Power Symbol | The Bigger Picture

Learn how an FBI Wanted poster, intended to make a criminal out of activist and academic Angela Y. Davis, transformed her into a symbol of Black Power and liberation in this episode from The Bigger Picture. 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

In this resource, students will dive into United States history and media literacy concepts as they consider the question “How can media reinforce or challenge our beliefs and attitudes about identity, race, and beauty?” Connect the story behind the FBI Wanted poster to African American history and popular culture today and provide students a chance to reflect and challenge stereotypes they may harbor themselves and others.