Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protest, and the Pursuit of Freedom by Derecka P

Description: FREE SHIPPING UK WIDE Becoming Abolitionists by Derecka Purnell How I became an abolitionist: a memoir of Black Lives Matter FORMAT Hardcover CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd and the resurgence of Black Lives Matter the call for the abolition of the police became a central demand for the movement. In this extraordinary, revelatory memoir, Derecka Purnell recounts her own path towards abolitionism. Her story starts in St. Louis, where she was often unhoused and experienced food insecurity, and where calling 911 was often the only option in a crisis. She describes her political awakening and activism through watching the aftermaths of events including Hurricane Katrina, the murder of Trayvon Martin and the uprising in her hometown of Ferguson following the death of Michael Brown. Through Harvard Law School she comes to see that that solution can be found not just in the debate on better policing but the end of the policing itself. Through her own story she makes a powerful, passionate argument for rethinking a fair, equal society where there is no place for state violence and racial repression. Purnell confronts the history of police as a means to capture runaway slaves and uphold white supremacy, to the over-policing and murder of Black people in todays cities. She argues that the police are doing exactly what they were created to do and, in response, imagines new systems that work to address the root causes of violence instead. A revolutionary book about the hope for freedom, Becoming Abolitionists will inspire readers to imagine and create new communities that can guarantee safety, equality, and real justice for all. Author Biography Derecka Purnell is a human rights lawyer, writer, and organizer. She received her JD from Harvard Law School, and works to end police and prison violence by providing legal assistance, research, and training to community-based organizations through an abolitionist framework. She has been featured on NPR and published in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Boston Globe,Teen Vogue, and more. Derecka is currently a columnist at the Guardian and cofounder of the National Museum of Social Justice and Contemporary Activism. Review At once specific and sweeping, practical and visionary, Becoming Abolitionists is a triumph of political imagination and a tremendous gift to all movements struggling towards liberation. Do not miss its brilliance! -- Naomi Klein, author of This Changes EverythingWith deep insight and moral clarity, Purnell shares her compelling journey of political education and personal transformation, inviting us not only to imagine a world without police, but to muster the courage to fight for the more just world we know is possible. Becoming Abolitionists is essential reading for our times. -- Michelle Alexander, bestselling author of The New Jim CrowOne of the most perceptive and passionate thinkers of any generation, Derecka Purnell, has written a genuinely revolutionary text for our times-one that resists easy answers or solutions and never shies from the hard questions. She proves that abolition is not an event or a utopian dream state, but rather a journey of assembly struggling to create new worlds of freedom as we fight the unfree world we inhabit. Beautifully written, passionate, honest, Becoming Abolitionists charts a journey we all must take if we plan to survive, let alone live together. -- Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Freedom DreamsA vital resource for anyone committed to the struggle for social justice, written by one of the sharpest and most inspiring voices to emerge in a generation. Taking readers on a journey from her childhood in St. Louis to the protests in Ferguson, the halls of Harvard, the streets of Soweto and beyond, Derecka Purnells heart-rendering analysis gives us the tools to envision a new society with endless possibilities. Even more, Purnells extraordinary blend of personal memoir, history, and critical theory provides a roadmap to build a safer and more just world. Like the Autobiography of Angela Davis, Becoming Abolitionists is sure to remain an essential text for decades to come. -- Elizabeth Hinton, author of America on Fire and From the War on Poverty to the War on CrimePurnell is undoubtedly one of the most important writers and activists of our generation, offering us a vivid, moving and compelling book for anyone interested in one of the most urgent issues of our times. Purnell weaves experiences of racism and resistance to articulate a blistering critique of racial capitalism, state power and imperialism, taking readers on a journey towards the radical alternatives to police and prisons which have shaped Black political movements in the 21st century -- Adam Elliott-Cooper, author of Black Resistance to British PolicingDerecka Purnell has one of the most exciting minds of a generation, and Becoming Abolitionists gives us all an excuse to praise her. This book is an explosion of deep intellect matched with great love, showing a journey toward radical politics that embraces the messiness. Derecka does not expect we all wake up and become abolitionists immediately--it didnt happen that way for her--but by showing both her intellectual and emotional path toward abolitionist thinking, she provides a roadmap that is also compassionate to those moving in a slower lane. But with an argument rooted in history, criticism guided by deep care, and writing that pulses with urgency, Becoming Abolitionists will convince you that is exactly what we all need to do before you even put the book down. -- Mychal Denzel Smith, author of Invisible Man Got The Whole World WatchingBecoming Abolitionists brilliantly lays out the connections between policing and other forms of oppression and shows why even well-meaning "reforms" wont get us where we need to go. This profound, urgent, beautiful, and necessary book is an invitation to imagine and organize for a less violent and more liberatory world. Everyone should read it. -- Astra Taylor, author of Democracy May Not Exist but Well Miss It When Its GoneA beautiful invitation to understand what is possible if we commit to unlearning our dependence on police and address the underlying injustices that cause harm in our communities. This is the book we have been waiting for and knew we needed to advance abolitionist efforts. Purnell is the abolitionist writer of her generation -- Bettina Love, author of Abolitionist TeachingPart memoir & part manifesto for our times. Beautifully written, the book takes the reader on a personal journey from the Midwest to South Africa with a pit stop in New England. As a member of the Trayvon Generation, Derecka offers us invaluable insights into how young activists are navigating and challenging current injustices. If youve been curious about the modern abolitionist movement, this book is a must read! -- Mariame Kaba, bestselling author of We Do This Til We Free UsArgues convincingly that police departments and prisons are irredeemably implicated in racist ideologies and the perpetuation of violence despite long-standing efforts at reform . . .An informed, provocative, astute consideration of salvific alternatives to contemporary policing and imprisonment * Kirkus Starred Review *[Purnell] draws convincing parallels between the past and the present to demonstrate that todays policing systems are vestiges of this oppressive framework ... even if you disagree with her, you are compelled to listen. -- Nesrine Malik * Guardian * Promotional How I became an abolitionist: a memoir of Black Lives Matter Details ISBN1839766670 Author Derecka Purnell Publisher Verso Books Year 2021 ISBN-10 1839766670 ISBN-13 9781839766671 Format Hardcover Imprint Verso Books Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom Pages 320 NZ Release Date 2021-11-05 Publication Date 2021-11-05 UK Release Date 2021-11-05 Subtitle Police, Protest, and the Pursuit of Freedom DEWEY 363.20973 AU Release Date 2022-02-28 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 30 DAY RETURN POLICY No questions asked, 30 day returns! FREE DELIVERY No matter where you are in the UK, delivery is free. SECURE PAYMENT Peace of mind by paying through PayPal and eBay Buyer Protection TheNile_Item_ID:133886265;

Price: 24.02 GBP

Location: London

End Time: 2025-01-16T03:45:37.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6.08 GBP