Abolition: Politics, Practices, Promises, Vol. 1

by Angela Y. Davis

A major collection of essays and speeches from pioneering freedom fighter Angela Y. Davis

For over fifty years, Angela Y. Davis has been at the forefront of collective movements for abolition and feminism and the fight against state violence and oppression. Politics, Practices, Promises, the first of two important new volumes, brings together an essential collection of Davis’s essays, and speeches over the years, showing how her thinking has sharpened and evolved even as she has remained uncompromising in her commitment to collective liberation. In pieces that address the history of abolitionist practice and thought in the United States and globally, the unique contributions of women to abolitionist struggles, and stories and lessons of organizing inside and beyond the prison walls, Davis is always curious, always incisive, and always learning.

Rich and rewarding, Politics, Practices, Promises will appeal to fans of Davis, to students and scholars reflecting on her life and work, and to readers new to feminism, abolition, and struggles for liberation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays, Politics, Feminism, Social Justice, History, Race

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2024

About the author

Angela Yvonne Davis is an American political activist, scholar, and author. She emerged as a nationally prominent activist and radical in the 1960s, as a leader of the Communist Party USA, and had close relations with the Black Panther Party through her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement despite never being an official member of the party. Prisoner rights have been among her continuing interests; she is the founder of Critical Resistance, an organization working to abolish the prison-industrial complex. She is a retired professor with the History of Consciousness Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is the former director of the university's Feminist Studies department.

Her research interests are in feminism, African American studies, critical theory, Marxism, popular music, social consciousness, and the philosophy and history of punishment and prisons. Her membership in the Communist Party led to Ronald Reagan's request in 1969 to have her barred from teaching at any university in the State of California. She was tried and acquitted of suspected involvement in the Soledad brothers' August 1970 abduction and murder of Judge Harold Haley in Marin County, California. She was twice a candidate for Vice President on the Communist Party USA ticket during the 1980s.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d read Angela Davis’ shopping list

[Brennen Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can be difficult to really understand and appreciate abolitionist theory. Getting over the mental hurdle that is, “how would society function without prisons?” becomes very easy after reading Angela Davis. Instead of that thinking, your brain starts to think of it like “how does our society allow prisons to exist in if we claim to be a fair and free?” We are led to believe that sending people to prison will eventually rehabilitate them and send them back out into the world as better people. But that doesn’t happen. Prisons are designed to keep people coming back, like customers in a Walmart. The prison industrial complex generates far too much profit for it to be doing anybody any true good. Recidivism is exactly what capitalism desires.

If prisons must exist, they should be only to hold the people convicted of the most heinous of crimes, such as those against children. The number of prison needed for that would be minuscule compared the mega industry it has become today. There are simply way too many people wasting away for crimes that harmed nobody except capital, or for drug offenses that shouldn’t be criminalized in the first place.

Davis makes clear that the prison industrial complex is designed to target people based on sex, gender, race, and sexuality. People of color and women being so highly represented in the prisoner system is not an accident. It is also these same groups of people that face the highest amount of abuse once in prison. Especially for women, who have to deal with the added pressure of being harassed and abused. If you are sending someone to prison, that should be their punishment, they shouldn’t have to then be tortured, harassed, and humiliated, along with losing all of their rights as a human being.

“Prisons do not disappear problems, they disappear human beings”

[Corie Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Abolition Politics: Practice, Promise, Volume 1," Angela Y. Davis offers a profound and transformative exploration of the abolition movement, extending far beyond the conventional discourse. Davis, a renowned scholar and activist, brings her wealth of experience and insight to this critical and timely subject, challenging readers to reimagine the frameworks of justice and equality in our society.

This first volume lays a comprehensive foundation for understanding the historical and contemporary dimensions of abolitionist thought. Davis skillfully navigates through the complexities of the prison-industrial complex, systemic racism, and the intersectionality of social justice struggles. Her arguments for the abolition of oppressive systems are not only deeply researched but also imbued with a sense of urgency and moral clarity.

What makes this book particularly compelling is Davis' ability to intertwine theory with practice. She doesn't just present an idea; she illustrates its implementation and potential impact through real-world examples and stories of resistance and resilience. This approach not only educates but also inspires, providing a blueprint for activism and social change.

"Abolition Politics" is more than an academic text; it's a call to action. Davis challenges the reader to question their own perceptions and to recognize the role they can play in the broader movement towards a more just and equitable world. Her writing is both accessible and intellectually rigorous, making this book a valuable resource for activists, students, and anyone interested in social justice.

In summary, Angela Y. Davis' "Abolition Politics: Practice, Promise, Volume 1" is a seminal work that pushes the boundaries of traditional thought on abolitionism. It's a book that not only informs but also empowers, urging a collective rethinking of the structures that govern our lives. A must-read for those committed to understanding and enacting real change in our society.

[Solomon Yeoh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angela Davis is really good at explaining ideas using clear, concise language. this collection of essays is a great introduction to the ideas of prison abolition and the intersection of race, gender and class when it comes to incarceration. nothing new is presented in these essays but fascinating reading nonetheless. i thought the final 2 studies done by Angela and Kum Kum Bhavnani which discuss the different approaches to female incarceration in the Netherlands, Cuba and the United States was the best part of the book, presenting an illuminating insight to women’s prisons.

[Brenda Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked it alot!
Recidivism is primarily what capitalism desires, and the prison industrial complex generates far too much profit to be a viable rehabilitation system. Instead the people convicted for heinous crimes are shelled with people whose crimes harm nobody expect capital, or for drug offenses.
Davis makes clear that the prison industrial complex is designed to target people based on sex, gender, race, and sexuality. People of color and women face the highest amount of abuse once in prison, especially women who deal with the added pressure of being harassed and abused. Sending someone to prison should be their punishment, they shouldn’t have to be tortured, harassed, and humiliated, along with losing their rights as a human being.

[Des · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening, especially on the history of prisons. I really liked the few chapters of the end detailing research into women’s prisons in the US, Cuba and more incisively, the Netherlands.

[Jacie Minnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always admired Angela Davis. Her work has been revolutionary in shaping the fight for abolition, and she’s been a guiding light for those of us striving to imagine a world beyond prisons and systemic oppression. That’s why I was so eager to dive into Abolition Vol. 1: Politics, Practices, and Promises. I thought it would be groundbreaking—something that would push the movement forward in bold, new ways. But instead, I was left feeling disappointed and, honestly, let down.

The book felt like a repetition of what we already know—historic injustices, frameworks, and traumas that have been discussed extensively in abolitionist spaces. These are important conversations, but they aren’t new. With a title like Abolition Vol. 1, I expected something revolutionary—practical solutions, fresh insights, or even a daring reimagining of what abolition could look like in today’s world. Instead, much of the book relied on outdated data from the 90s, 2000s, and 2010s, and the big takeaways felt frustratingly limited.

One suggestion was to look at prison models in the Netherlands, like open and half-open facilities. Another was to appeal to human rights as a way to foster empathy in America. But these ideas felt tone-deaf given the realities of 2024, especially with the war on Gaza and the ongoing struggle for Palestinian liberation. Davis herself has written powerfully about the links between the prison-industrial complex, the military-industrial complex, and global racial oppression in the past. But here, those connections felt muted or ignored altogether.

Even the writing felt uncharacteristically flat. Words like “recapitulate” were used so often that it was hard not to notice, making the book feel stretched, like it was trying to hit a word count rather than deliver something impactful.

I don’t expect Angela Davis—or anyone, really—to have all the answers. But with a title like Abolition Vol. 1: Politics, Practices, and Promises, I hoped for something more. Something visionary. Something that felt like a roadmap to the future, rather than a recap of the past.

I still deeply respect Angela Davis and all that she’s contributed to this movement. She’s a giant in abolitionist thought, and her work has inspired countless people, including me. But this book didn’t meet the moment. It felt like a missed opportunity at a time when we desperately need bold, revolutionary ideas to guide us forward.

I hope future volumes in this series will provide the innovative, actionable ideas that this volume lacked. Angela Davis has always challenged us to imagine better futures, and I believe she still has the capacity to push us toward that vision in transformative ways.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angela Davis, an American icon.

My very first introduction to the concept of prison abolition came from an online bookclub that I heard about on Twitter. We read Are Prisons Obsolete? by Davis and it blew my mind. It is a short book, a but over 100 pages, and it sums up the history of prisons, then asks, "If prisons did not always exist, should they always continue to exist? In light of our evolving understanding of humane justice, should we not evolve the way justice is enacted?" I honestly had no idea about any of it, and my ignorance was very much by design.

This book, Abolition, is a collection of essays and speeches over the years. The main argument here is that modern prisons in America are a direct descendent of slavery and have little to do with bringing justice to the community or "reforming" criminals. Critics questioned their effectiveness even before their initiation, and there has been no accountability from the state in the face of overwhelming evidence that prisons are a failure at their stated aims.

The nature of the book means that it is repetitive; reading it straight through kind of gave me a de ja vu feeling. Davis is a powerful writer and able to wrap stories and facts together in a captivating way, and I am glad this book exists. The audiobook is a gift that she reads herself. That said, I wouldn't recommend this book as a starting point just because it isn't structured like a typical book. I would love to see an adapted version with updated stats though! It probably already exists.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Of course, the enemy within is far more dangerous than the enemy without, and a Black enemy within the most dangerous of all.
Because of the tendency to view it as an abstract site into which all manner of undesirables are deposited, the prison is the perfect site for the simultaneous production and concealment of racism. The abstract character of the public perception of prisons militates against an engagement with the real issues afflicting the communities from which prisoners are drawn in such disproportionate numbers.

The concept of the prison industrial complex … attempts to capture not only the phenomenal expansion of prisons and jails and the enormous increase in the numbers of people of color subject to the surveillance and supervision of the criminal justice system, but also the increasingly symbiotic relationship between the corporate structure and the prison industry, the relationship between corrections and economic vitality in many communities, and the mounting political influence of the correctional community.”



Once we understand the prison industrial complex as the production/reproduction of violence, we might begin to dream of better for ourselves

[Whitman Cler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the book opens with a radical essay in which Davis contends that prisons are necessary for maintaining the legitimacy of US-style democracy (for the experience of incarceration is the experience of losing civil rights for supposedly breaking the social contract). She advocates for abolishing prisons and reconceptualizing democracy in a human rights framework. I appreciated how she emphasized that race, class, and gender are determining factors in who is criminalized and how they are disciplined and controlled. I learned a lot about the psychological techniques of control that prisons deploy against women. Davis emphasized the “recognition of women prisoners as autonomous human beings, not only as social victims” (p. 201).

[Celia Artis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The newest collection of essays and speeches by the queen herself. This book compiles so many incredibly thoughtful arguments and reflections with lots of nods to Foucault. This is a super important but super heavy topic and I got especially choked up when reading about dangerous and even life threatening conditions that result from the lack of women’s healthcare services in US prisons described about two thirds of the way into the book. In summary, if you’re not reading Angela Davis, literally what are you doing????

[Carley Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book displays how the prison system (specifically in the US) is basically just slavery in a different format, where instead of serving a single master, the prisoner is serving the government. This is more so considering majority of prisoners are of African American decent. Ms Davis displays how capitalism, racism and classism intertwine in the prison system and how it serves to create more capital for the government rather than rehabilitate these prisoners.
An excellent read and has opened my eyes to the reality of the prison system.

[Ryan O'Malley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed compilation of the horrors of prison and the prison industrial complex, and particularly how it affects minorities and women. The part I found most fascinating was the history of prisons that Davis puts forth. One place I thought the book could have expanded is what abolition would actually look like. The closest comparison they made was to the Dutch system which they made clear they are not endorsing. Perhaps that will come in the next volume.

[Ana Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this book, it came scenes of Orange is the new Black, it’s clearly the way they treat immigrants women’s and it’s frustrated. Talking about the last episode I really can say that am shocked about how prisons is different each country’s, I mean the American one is inhumane compared to Europe for exemple, specifically Holland, Switzerland,….

It wasn’t easy to be a black person before, but being a black woman it was horrible.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stands out most about prison, even beyond the human rights abuse, is its ineffectiveness in combating crime or preventing recidivism. Prison fails to address the social conditions that lead people to commit crimes in the first place.

[Shubh Thakkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHE NEVER MISSES!

[Stacey]

Angela Davis forever.

[Another Old Man Historian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great arguments, great thought provoking leading towards potential change. I wonder how, especially the prison system, would take that step to change. It did get a bit monotonous towards the end.

[Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal as always

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly important collection of essays from one of the best scholars on abolition.

[Ghizal · Rating 5 out of 5]

phenomenal

[hanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

i admire her so much for dedicating her life to this she’s literally my hero and need to urgently find out how she feels about things now since they are a billion times worse :/

[Vivien · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

[Plainqoma · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extensive analysis and compilation of works concerning the prison system, the prison industrial complex, the abolition of prisons, and simultaneously creating movement activities accountable for persistent and systematic forms in society.

This book made a point of showing how people are criminalised mostly based on their colour, gender, and class. Aside from that, these variables ultimately influence how inmates are treated and ultimately controlled through the politics both within and outside of the jail.

Particularly perceptive about the distinctions between white and coloured inmates as well as those between male and female inmates, with a primary focus on minorities and women. I like how the interviews from different prisons—including Dutch and Cuba—were included in the final section. Noticing that minorities, particularly those housed in prisons, experience a system that is nearly identical.

I believe that because this is only volume 1, the abolition portion is not covered in great detail. Extremely educational book, particularly the sections regarding women in prison. Thank you @times.reads @putrifariza for the book.

[Kosta Dalageorgas · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is the purpose of the prison system? Is it to rehabilitate, punish, or to make profits from its prisoners? Why is there a disproportionate number of people of color in the U.S. prison system? How are and how should female prisoners who are making an ever increasing percentage of the U.S. prison population be treated? What can we learn from in the Dutch system? These are some of topics Davis explores in this collected series of essays.

Starting chronologically with how the current U.S. prison system is a continuation of slavery (see 13th amendment), she writes that in some ways the post-Reconstruction convict lease program was worse than slavery in that the controllers of the southern prisons didn’t really need to care about the welfare of the prisoners who were largely disposable. Davis also criticizes prominent abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass for not speaking up loudly enough and drawing attention to these abominable practices which severely controlled black labor. In addition, after the Civil War, many southern states passed Black codes which were highly reminiscent of the Antebellum slave codes.

In her socialist critique, Davis draws parallel between the rights (or lack there of) of developing world workers as well as those of inmates who provide large profits for transnational, multinational companies.

Historically, the penitentiary as an Enlightenment-era project was to rehabilitate the criminals and inmates within. However, for Davis, with the massive U.S. prison industrial complex, what exactly is the contemporary purpose of prisons? She advocates for the decriminalization of drugs as well as investing in social and anti-poverty programs in many neglected communities to reduce the prison population. In this series of academic, repetitive essays, she calls for the entire abolition of the prison system, something that has been mentioned since its beginning over 200 years ago.