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Abolition for the People: The Movement for a Future without Policing & Prisons by Colin Kaepernick
caseythebookwitch's review against another edition
5.0
Other rating and comments here are exactly why this book is so needed and important. Seeing commenters ripping Kaepernick because he is biracial is exactly the system that needs to be dismantled. No more colorism, no more carceral systems, no more punitive establishments. If others would actually read this book they would understand. Instead people are committed to the narrative they were sold from the media circus surrounding Kaepernick.
Kaep, keep up the important and essential work. This book was so needed.
Abolition is the only way forward.
Kaep, keep up the important and essential work. This book was so needed.
Abolition is the only way forward.
lee_noel's review
5.0
I want to start with the controversy over the cover. I’ve read that there was backlash over making a Black woman the face of the fight for abolition when Black womxn have been forced to fight for themselves on so many fronts already. I do believe that Colin Kaepernick should have listened to the Black womxn speaking up about this and changed the cover. That said, I think I understand the thoughts behind the cover, recognizing and honoring the Black womxn and femmes who have fought for their freedom. Still, if the people you are representing do not want to be represented in this context, you should listen and respect that.
The essays themselves were incredible. This book looks at abolition from so many intersecting yet distinct perspectives, showing that while the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) was created to oppress BIPOC, abolition also reaches those harmed by ableism, gender violence, poverty, and more. Everyone is impacted. I learned that abolition is as much a daily practice as a global movement. I considered the various claims of the PIC and how none of them have ever been fulfilled. The question is not “So I can’t call the police when I’m in danger?” but “How can we build a better community where the police are the only option (and just as likely to harm you as help you)?” Abolition is not simply tearing down a structure that efficiently harms all those deemed “other”, but also the building of a better future. It recognizes that there are so many other institutions and movements to invest in that can actually heal communities. I see the critiques that others have made, and I’m glad to have that context. But I agree with these writers that we can dream bigger than putting bandaids on symptoms and making real progress at the roots.
The essays themselves were incredible. This book looks at abolition from so many intersecting yet distinct perspectives, showing that while the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC) was created to oppress BIPOC, abolition also reaches those harmed by ableism, gender violence, poverty, and more. Everyone is impacted. I learned that abolition is as much a daily practice as a global movement. I considered the various claims of the PIC and how none of them have ever been fulfilled. The question is not “So I can’t call the police when I’m in danger?” but “How can we build a better community where the police are the only option (and just as likely to harm you as help you)?” Abolition is not simply tearing down a structure that efficiently harms all those deemed “other”, but also the building of a better future. It recognizes that there are so many other institutions and movements to invest in that can actually heal communities. I see the critiques that others have made, and I’m glad to have that context. But I agree with these writers that we can dream bigger than putting bandaids on symptoms and making real progress at the roots.
lcarslibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in exploring the ideas of prison and police abolition! It is approachable and a great starting place.
I want to be an abolitionist though I'm afraid I'm not imaginative or hopeful enough at this moment. Even if you hear of this concept and immediately think it's impossible, please read this book! It will give anyone a lot to think about!!
I want to be an abolitionist though I'm afraid I'm not imaginative or hopeful enough at this moment. Even if you hear of this concept and immediately think it's impossible, please read this book! It will give anyone a lot to think about!!
polychromatic_hedgehog_parable's review
Many of these essays are on Medium here, FYI <3 https://level.medium.com/abolition-for-the-people-397ef29e3ca5
I'm unsure who this collection is for. As someone with a non-zero amount of experience with abolition, I found lots of the essays too short/lacking in detail. However I also felt like this wasn't the type of book I could send to my mom, who's still solidly in the "reform" mood. (Honestly, the short essay part would work for her! But I think that essays assume a level of on-boardness that she's not at yet.)
It's probably useful to someone somewhere! But I had trouble identifying people in my life who would find it useful.
I meant to write down which pieces I liked most before I returned this book to the library, but I 100% forgot. I definitely remember liking Kiese Laymon's conversation with Gwendolyn Woods.
There is some really good stuff in there, but on the whole idk that I can recommend it. I found the pieces written about personal experiences most powerful, I think.
I'm unsure who this collection is for. As someone with a non-zero amount of experience with abolition, I found lots of the essays too short/lacking in detail. However I also felt like this wasn't the type of book I could send to my mom, who's still solidly in the "reform" mood. (Honestly, the short essay part would work for her! But I think that essays assume a level of on-boardness that she's not at yet.)
It's probably useful to someone somewhere! But I had trouble identifying people in my life who would find it useful.
I meant to write down which pieces I liked most before I returned this book to the library, but I 100% forgot. I definitely remember liking Kiese Laymon's conversation with Gwendolyn Woods.
There is some really good stuff in there, but on the whole idk that I can recommend it. I found the pieces written about personal experiences most powerful, I think.