Reviews

I think this book did a comprehensive job of outlining the injustices and failures of policing in the US (and in other countries), as well as some examples of alternative social structures that could replace the need for policing. Purnell does not suggest that this is something to do overnight, but rather an entire social movement towards a less violent, unequal, greedy society; she examines where policing originates, who it “helps” and harms, and the other options we have for creating the kind of world where everyone can thrive.

youeatdogfood's review against another edition

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3.5

3.5 stars. ‘Becoming Abolitionists’ by Derecka Purnell had great potential in its initial chapters, w a writing style that lacked any smugness or shame, and obviously containing very revolutionary ideas. However, I found that as the book progressed, it became relatively disjointed and hard to follow, w non sequiturs and editing mistakes/typos that detracted frm the overall reading experience, leaving me w the impression that some of her ideas weren't fully fleshed out or connected. Likewise, at times, the book’s pacing felt rushed, w statistics and remarks thrown in randomly that often lacked substance.

However, one standout aspect of the book was, to me, Purnell’s tale of her personal transformation, frm someone w prejudiced beliefs (mostly surrounding queer people), to an advocate fr abolitionist ideals, and all that entails. This narrative served as a powerful reminder of the potential fr growth and learning within each of us, and Purnell’s willingness to confront these inconsistencies within herself are a testament to her courage and commitment to the vision of a better world. As she says, “Growth requires us to constantly evaluate the ideas we hold dear.”

So all up, ‘Becoming Abolitionists’ offers valuable insights and a powerful personal journey, but its disjointed nature and occasional lack of depth prevented it frm fully meeting my expectations. However, it still remains an important read fr those interested in pursuits of freedom and justice (and how this may differ to the mainstream idea of “justice” - which is often anything but), and fr those wanting to learn more about abolition and Black feminist thought.

abigailinds's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

joshuadisobeys's review against another edition

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5.0

This was a really accessible read and makes quite the case for abolition.
Alongside numerous examples of the oppressive and destructive nature of our current systems, Purnell also gives tangible ways that we can work to resist and combat these systems, and what some of that resistance looks like.

gingerreadsnf's review against another edition

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5.0

An incredible read that not only follows the authors journey from a reformation politic to an abolitionist one, but also gives practical and applicable ways of putting abolition into place now. It gives the reader concrete ways of replacing the systems that create injustice and inequality in our communities, and is full of examples of the work already being done in cities and states all over the U.S. Whether you are new or seasoned to this work, this book is worth the read!

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