A People’s Guide to Abolition and Disability Justice provides an accessible yet insightful exploration of the intertwined histories and theories of abolition and disability justice. This crucial intersection, often overlooked, is brought to the forefront, making the book a vital resource for both newcomers and seasoned activists. The book delves into the State’s use of disability, and the power to disable, in its incarceration of marginalized disabled individuals, particularly those who are queer, trans, Black, or Indigenous.
Understanding the Carceral System Through a Disability Justice Lens
Given the disproportionate incarceration rates of disabled individuals in prisons, jails, and other carceral settings, it’s imperative that abolitionists and critics of carceral systems integrate a disability justice perspective into their work. A People’s Guide to Abolition and Disability Justice meticulously examines the mechanisms that lead to this overrepresentation, offering both personal narratives and policy analysis. This understanding is crucial for developing more effective strategies toward prison and police abolition. The book provides practical tools and strategies, illustrating the inextricable link between disability justice and abolition, arguing that one cannot be achieved without the other.
Key Insights and Practical Applications
The book goes beyond theoretical discussions, offering concrete examples and actionable steps. Readers will gain insights into:
- The Historical Context: Tracing the historical roots of both abolition and disability justice movements.
- The Intersections: Exploring how systemic ableism and racism contribute to the criminalization of disabled individuals.
- Practical Strategies: Implementing disability justice principles in abolitionist organizing.
- Policy Implications: Advocating for policy changes that address the root causes of disability-related incarceration.
Praise for “A People’s Guide to Abolition and Disability Justice”
The book has garnered significant praise from leading scholars and activists:
- Alex Vitale: “An essential movement tool… abolition and disability justice are core strategies for liberation and that we can’t win one without the other.”
- Victoria Law: “A clear, accessible, and invaluable tool for not only dissecting the depths of disability and criminalization but also illustrating how the fights for disability justice and prison abolition are inextricably linked.”
- Eric A. Stanley: “Reminding us that abolition and disability justice must be, on a molecular level, grown together… a necessary contribution to our collective study.”
These endorsements highlight the book’s importance and its potential to transform how we approach abolitionist work.
About the Author: Katie Tastrom
Katie Tastrom is a disability justice activist and writer with extensive experience as a lawyer, social worker, and sex worker. Her work has appeared in various publications, solidifying her expertise in the field. She brings a unique and intersectional perspective to her writing, informed by both professional experience and lived reality.
A Call to Action
A People’s Guide to Abolition and Disability Justice is more than just a book; it’s a call to action. It challenges us to rethink our understanding of justice and liberation, urging us to create a world where disability is not a pathway to incarceration. By integrating disability justice into abolitionist movements, we can build a more just and equitable future for all.
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