Black Wall Street
Capitalism Ain’t All That Bad
Into the Unknown
6: Reimagining Infrastructure:
On Our Own
A Labor of Love
Like Father, Like Son
Trial and Tribulation
Concrete Conditions
7: Conclusion:
Brace Yourselves
Alternatives
Choose Your Own Liberation
Glossary
Acknowledgments
Endnotes
Index
About the Author
About North Atlantic Books
Reimagining the Revolution
Four Stories of Abolition, Autonomy, and Forging New Paths in the Modern Civil Rights Movement
Paula Lehman-Ewing
Foreword by Ilyasah Shabazz
Praise for Reimagining the Revolution
“Reimagining the Revolution is a deeply personal, compellingly passionate, and surprisingly comprehensive take on the horrid state of the American justice system. It is also quite literally an invitation to a revolution. Lehman-Ewing wants nothing less than the total elimination of our current system of incarceration and justice and its replacement with something both effective and humane. As she focuses on an array of ideas around race and justice, Lehman-Ewing presents vignettes from assorted lives—many interrupted by incarceration—that take us beyond the superficial stereotypes that serve as justification for the status quo. In arguing for the abolition of the current system, she advocates a radical rethinking of virtually every commonly held view about the value and actual practice of incarceration. Along the way, she reminds us that the 13th Amendment did not really end slavery and that vengeance is a poor excuse for irrational policies. Whether you agree with her revolutionary solution or not, you will almost certainly find her key arguments impossible to ignore.”
—Ellis Cose, author of The Short Life and Curious Death of Free Speech in America and Race and Reckoning
“Reimagining the Revolution is both a call to action and a series of road maps, showing readers how those most impacted by prisons and policing are creating a world in which both are rendered obsolete. Paula Lehman-Ewing invites us to see abolition not as a far-off goal, but as living practices and concrete programs that we can incorporate into our daily lives.”
—Victoria Law, journalist, coauthor of Prison By Any Other Name and author of “Prisons Make Us Safer”: And 20 Other Myths About Mass Incarceration
“A timely and compelling exploration into the heart of contemporary social justice movements. Inspired by past and present events, Lehman-Ewing guides readers through the nuanced landscape of criminal justice reform and the profound racial reckoning that continues to shape our world. With a keen eye for dynamic storytelling, she introduces us to the courageous individuals at the forefront of change, providing a vivid tapestry of their journeys and contributions.
This book not only sheds light on the urgent need for societal transformation but also serves as a practical guide for those seeking to actively engage in the pursuit of justice. Lehman-Ewing’s work is a testament to the power of storytelling in inspiring meaningful action. Reimagining the Revolution is an indispensable resource for anyone passionate about creating a more just and equitable world. A must-read that challenges, enlightens, and empowers.”
—Jason Masino, author of Sinner’s Prayer
“In this personal exploration of today’s abolition movement, Paula Lehman-Ewing takes the reader around the United States—the most incarcerated nation in human history—to reveal the creative and profound actions abolitionists are taking to make their communities safer and more free. Reimagining the Revolution provides vibrant and intimate portraits of people directly impacted by America’s policies of mass incarceration, and shows how their work promises to change the world via concrete and pragmatic steps toward abolition.”
—Piper Kerman, author of Orange Is the New Black
Copyright © 2024 by Paula Lehman-Ewing. All rights reserved. No portion of this book, except for brief review, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the written permission of the publisher. For information contact North Atlantic Books.
Published by
North Atlantic Books
Huichin, unceded Ohlone land
Berkeley, California
Cover art and design by Jason Arias
