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A review by clairealex
Abolition. Feminism. Now. by Erica Meiners, Gina Dent, Beth E. Richie, Angela Y. Davis
4.0
What I value from reading this book is the grappling with apparent contradictions between prison abolition and punishing gender violence, the latter usually presented as requiring imprisonment. This was mostly done in the chapter on feminism.
The chapter on abolition focused on women’s work in the abolition movement. Much of this work has been done by women of color who experience imprisonment at a higher rate than white women.
The “Now” chapter surveyed actions in Chicago over time. While I appreciate the emphasis on grassroots organizing, I found lists of organizations to be tedious reading. I did value the critical look at what constitutes success and how it can differ from what mainstream media reports. I appreciated that it was not a how-to chapter.
There are several helpful appendices, especially the one sorting prison reforms that actually grow the prison industrial complex from actual change.
The chapter on abolition focused on women’s work in the abolition movement. Much of this work has been done by women of color who experience imprisonment at a higher rate than white women.
The “Now” chapter surveyed actions in Chicago over time. While I appreciate the emphasis on grassroots organizing, I found lists of organizations to be tedious reading. I did value the critical look at what constitutes success and how it can differ from what mainstream media reports. I appreciated that it was not a how-to chapter.
There are several helpful appendices, especially the one sorting prison reforms that actually grow the prison industrial complex from actual change.