Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom
Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom
Book Brief
BetaBecoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2021288
Book • Nonfiction
Contemporary
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Derecka Purnell's Becoming Abolitionists details her journey and exploration into the abolitionist movement. Through personal experiences and insights, Purnell discusses the complexities and necessity of reimagining justice beyond traditional policing and incarceration systems.
Reviews & Readership
2,189 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Derecka Purnell's Becoming Abolitionists is commended for its rigorous examination of the abolitionist movement and its insightful blend of personal narrative and political analysis. Critics appreciate Purnell's compelling arguments and accessible writing style but note a need for more detailed policy prescriptions. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and essential read for understanding modern abolitionist thought.
Who Should Read Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom?
Readers who appreciated The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander or Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis will resonate with Becoming Abolitionists. They are typically engaged in social justice, critical race theory, and systemic reform, seeking transformative narratives and practical visions for a just society.
2,189 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
In Becoming Abolitionists, Derecka Purnell shares her personal journey from witnessing police violence in her childhood neighborhood to becoming a lawyer and organizer committed to abolitionist principles.
The book highlights the intersectionality of various social justice movements, showing how abolition connects with issues such as housing rights, health care, and environmental justice.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
In writing Becoming Abolitionists, Purnell draws from her experiences in the Ferguson protests, illustrating how grassroots activism has influenced her views on the need for societal change beyond policing.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
288
Book • Nonfiction
Contemporary
2021
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!