Glossary of Terms

An ideology and ongoing practice that examines the root structures of violence, and seeks to create alternative systems beyond the ones that currently exist. Abolitionists, particularly prison abolitionists, understand that the structures of violence that shape our world are functioning the way they are supposed to (with the intention to cause violence and harm) thus such systems need to be dismantled and others need to be ushered in to create a more just world. In an interview, Mariame Kaba explains that part of her work as a prison abolitionist is to “think of how we can crowd out the current system by building the things that we want to see in the world, that will promote our well-being”.