You start the book, I think, with a very useful entry point into talking about how we view abolition, which is calling 9–1–1. I want to start by the title, Becoming Abolitionists is not just a personal journey, but it’s also a sort of ongoing way in which one shreds a certain way of looking at the world and kind of adopts a new world, and that’s why you framed it that way. So much has changed since we last talked, there has been so much reaction, obviously, and I mean that both in terms of the traditional sense of the word and the right-wing sense of the word. So thank you for celebrating, I really appreciate it.Īdam: Yeah, it’s so good to have you back. So now this book is officially called Becoming Abolitionists. I think the last time I was on, I was still debating on the title and ultimately abandoned that one. Happy New Year, despite, you know, everything.ĭerecka Purnell: Yes, of course. When we last spoke to you, you were still, I think, in the process of writing it or maybe hadn’t even started, but were thinking of it, but welcome back. Derecka, welcome back to Citations Needed. Tonight for this first live interview of 2022, Adam, we are joined by Derecka Purnell, lawyer, writer, organizer and author of the new book Becoming Abolitionists: Police Protests and the Pursuit of Freedom out now from Astra House. So please, if you can support us at Patreon, it’s very helpful and helps keep the show sustainable and keeps the episodes free.

Nima: We need a pyramid scheme, I think, you know.Īdam: When you become a supporter you get access to over a hundred News Briefs, extensive show notes for every episode, our newsletter, and more fun stuff like these little goodies we do for particular patrons. You don’t actually have to advocate but thanks for all your help, it is so incredibly appreciated, we are 100 percent listener funded.Īdam: We need a multi-level marketing element so people become evangelical. Of course you can follow the show if you don’t already on the Twitter machine Facebook Citations Needed, and you can also become a supporter or advocate for others to become supporters of the show through /CitationsNeededPodcast. Nima: Happy New Year and thank you, everyone, for joining us for yet another live Citations Needed interview. Welcome to Citations Needed a podcast on the media, power, PR and the history of bullshit. Intro: This is Citations Needed with Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson.

Becoming abolitionists