Interdependent Study

Abolition feminism is guiding us towards the liberated future we all deserve. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Abolition. Feminism. Now. by Angela Y. Davis, Gina Dent, Erica R. Meiners, and Beth E. Richie, and what we learn from their work to trace and analyze the historical genealogies of abolition, feminism, and abolition feminism, key internationalist learnings, and everyday practices to grow our collective and flourishing present and future. 

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It is 2022 and lynching is finally a federal hate crime in the United States. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss media from NPR, USA Today, and Vox about the recent passing of the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, and reflect on the history of efforts to pass anti-lynching legislation, the impact of this law, and what this historic moment truly means for reckoning with our country’s history and our continued fight for abolition and collective liberation.

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Our learning about the abolition of the prison industrial complex and the work necessary for transformative change continues. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss Haymarket Books’ Abolishing Policing, Not Just the Police panel event featuring journalists and authors Maya Schenwar and Victoria Law, and moderated by abolitionist organizer Mariame Kaba. This incredible conversation highlights the need to resist alternatives to police and policing, and provides us with more education about and justification for embracing abolition of all forms of the prison industrial complex for a more just society. 

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John Lewis, or “the boy from Troy” as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. nicknamed him, had a vision that “good trouble” could change the world. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the documentary “John Lewis: Good Trouble”, which chronicles the life, career, and legacy of the late U.S. Representative John Lewis, and what we learn from his story, personal reflections, and work that can inspire us in our continued efforts for social justice and collective liberation. 

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2021 saw the most anti-LGBT laws passed across the country ever, and 2022 is continuing that trend. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a number of media related to this legislation, including “The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills of 2022, Explained” by James Factora and the Legislative Tracker: Anti-Transgender Legislation by the Freedom For All Americans campaign, and why this misguided and shameful legislation is harmful to LGBTQ+ folks and our society and derails our efforts for social justice and collective liberation. 

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The power and spirit of youth activism in this country is strong and inspiring. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the documentary “Homeroom”, which follows Oakland High School’s class of 2020 as they navigate their final year of high school, applying to colleges, and the COVID-19 pandemic, all while working to eliminate the school district’s police force and organize for racial and social justice. We also discuss what we learn from this incredible group of students and their efforts in our continued work for social justice and collective liberation. 

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The recently proposed “discomfort” legislation in Florida—as well as legislation in other states across the country—is troubling on so many levels. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a number of articles related to this legislation, including “Florida seeks to block uncomfortable themes in schools. Its history is full of them.” featured in The Washington Post and “Florida could shield whites from ‘discomfort’ of racist past” featured in NBC News, and why this misguided legislation and panic around Critical Race Theory is bad and dangerous for our children and our society. 

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There have been many attempts at police reforms in this country, but these reforms have not been enough to keep us all safe. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss an article by Ernest Owens in Rolling Stone called “After Amir Locke, Is Police Reform Even the Solution?”, and what we need to do to change the course of the conversation on police violence and the prison industrial complex in this country to move us towards collective liberation. 

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The authors of Abolition. Feminism. Now. use the phrase “slow work in urgent times” to remind us that we must continue our collective movement and organizing work to address our most pressing challenges and get us to the place where we want to be. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss Haymarket Books’ Abolition. Feminism. Now. panel event featuring authors Angela Y. Davis, Gina Dent, Erica R. Meiners, and Beth E. Richie, and moderated by Mariame Kaba. This wide-ranging and inspiring conversation teaches us about the power of abolition feminism, the continued work necessary to dismantle the prison industrial complex and push for collective liberation, and more. 

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As we progress forward in our learning and movement work, it’s important to be grounded in the lessons of our ancestors and comrades who came before us. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the piece “What’s Next for Defund?” from In These Times magazine—a conversation between five organizers and police abolitionists reflecting on the movement work and successes of recent years and discussing where we need to go in 2022 and beyond—and what we can take away from their insights and lessons in our continued work towards abolition and collective liberation. 

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