Abolition. Feminism. Now.: Merging Movements for Systemic Change
BY ANGELAS DAVIS GINA DENT ERICA MEINES and BETH RICHIE
Abolition.Feminism.Now. is an insightful and thought-provoking book that boldly confronts the intersections of power, privilege, and oppression. As a vital addition to Black literature, this work stands out not only for its compelling arguments but also for its unwavering commitment to envisioning a world beyond incarceration and systemic violence.
In many ways, this book belongs on the shelves of any serious Black library, offering a powerful testament to the importance of abolitionist thought within feminist discourse.
Through vivid narratives and razor-sharp analysis, Abolition.Feminism.Now. challenges readers to recognize the interconnectedness of feminism and abolition. Rather than seeing these as separate struggles, the book insists that true liberation requires confronting and dismantling the injustices deeply embedded within current systems of power.
This is a central theme that runs throughout the text, urging readers to examine not only the external structures of oppression but also the internalized assumptions that allow these systems to persist.
Abolition Feminism and the Struggle for Black Liberation
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its attention to the lived experiences of incarcerated women. Their voices, often marginalized or silenced, take center stage here. The book poignantly illustrates how many incarcerated women equate the abuse behind prison walls with the abuse they experienced in intimate relationships, drawing a painful but necessary connection between patriarchal violence and state violence. This critical perspective sheds light on the systemic failures of the criminal legal system and challenges readers to question the logic of punishment as a solution to social harm.
Abolition.Feminism.Now. does not shy away from addressing criticism. Instead, it encourages readers to turn anger into action, to find true allies, and to recognize real opponents. The book rejects surface-level changes, calling instead for deep, meaningful transformation grounded in feminist abolitionist beliefs. This refusal to settle for incremental reforms makes it a bold and uncompromising contribution to Blacklit, offering a clear vision of what justice and liberation might truly look like.
Throughout the book, the authors remind readers of the importance of community and collective care. In a particularly moving passage, the text invokes the powerful line: "We are each other's harvest, business, magnitude, and bond." This reminder of interdependence is both a call to action and a grounding principle for the abolitionist feminist movement. It suggests that liberation is not a solitary endeavor but a collective one, rooted in mutual support and shared struggle.
Another essential theme of Abolition.Feminism.Now. is its insistence on recognizing and resisting the attempts by dominant power structures to co-opt activism. The book is clear-eyed about the ways in which radical movements can be diluted or commodified, and it urges readers to remain vigilant in forging new language and practices in pursuit of genuine justice. This is where the book's contribution to Black literature and the broader Black library tradition is particularly significant: it offers not just critique but also creative and hopeful alternatives.
In the end, Abolition.Feminism.Now. stands as a powerful call to imagine and build a world free from the violence of prisons, policing, and patriarchy. It is a book that challenges, inspires, and ultimately affirms the possibility of a more just and compassionate society. For anyone invested in Blacklit, abolition, and feminist thought, this book is essential reading—a guide for understanding the present and envisioning a liberated future.