We have been taught that police are here to protect and serve but yet we are witnessing more deaths of people of color at the hands of police. Prison reform will not solve the institution of police and prison that are deeply rooted in racism. Abolition is the only way to achieve public safety. Abolition is not just about the absence of something, it is also a presence—a presence of justice, equity and humanity.
What is Abolition?
Abolition means to completely dismantle something, in this case, it means to completely dismantle the prison system and police system that has been built on centuries-old racism. It calls for structural changes such as investing in community-led interventions such as restorative justice and reparations for those affected by mass incarceration. It calls for an end to over-policing and criminalizing poverty and mental illness. It asks us to reallocate funds from prisons into housing, education, and healthcare for all people. Lastly, it asks us to listen carefully when communities of color call for an end to violence inflicted upon them by state actors such as law enforcement officers.
Why We Need Abolition?
The police system was developed with the purpose of protecting property rather than protecting people—especially black people who were seen as property during slavery. That same mentality persists today in our criminal legal system which disproportionately targets black and brown communities through over policing and harsher sentencing guidelines than those received by white offenders who commit similar crimes. This type of systemic racism has caused deep wounds in these communities that will take decades to heal but can be prevented if we work together towards abolishing these systems now before they hurt more generations.
We must come together and stand up against systemic racism by supporting abolition efforts across our country. We must take action now if we want our society to become one where everyone is safe from violence. It starts with understanding why abolition is necessary and realizing the power each one of us have when we come together towards collective efforts.
In order for us to create a better future for everyone, we must abolish systems that are rooted in racism and oppression such as policing & prisons. We cannot rely on prison reform alone because we know that this will not solve the institutionalized racism within our criminal legal system; instead, abolition needs to be part of the conversation so that real change can happen within society where everyone feels safe from violence! The only way forward is through collective action backed by understanding why abolition is necessary—only then can we move towards a truly just society!