Reimagining the Revolution: Four Stories of Abolition, Autonomy, and Forging New Paths in the Modern Civil Rights Movement

by Paula Lehman-Ewing

These are the architects of the modern civil rights 4 profiles of revolutionary groups making change beyond protest

A radically different approach to sustaining social justice movements—4 strategies for abolition and liberation from the new architects of the modern civil rights movement

Many of us think, I don’t support the police. But what should take their place? Prisons don’t keep us safe. But what new systems could?

A lot of books about racial justice ask us how we got here, but Reimagining the Revolution is award-winning journalist and activist Paula Lehman-Ewing presents an inside-access look at the activists redefining where we go from here. Readers will hear


Lehman-Ewing frames each profile within two fundamental The current system—built and sustained by oppression, extraction, and inequity by design—cannot be reformed. And, knowing this, we need abolition; we need creative solutions designed by the people most impacted by the systems they fight to change. Reimagining the Revolution is a call to action for each of if we can access the tools we have, we can dream bigger, think outside the box, and follow the paths laid out by change-making activists toward nothing short of revolution.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Activism, Race, Social Justice

224 pages, Paperback

Published July 23, 2024

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐

This is a book about justice: racial, social, and economic. But it is also an exploration of humanity.

Reimagining the Revolution is an informative, thought-provoking, and inspiring story about racism, activism, abolition, and societal revolution. In its entirety, Reimagining the Revolution is focused on ideas and movements concerned with racial justice, mostly occupied by the American prison-industrial complex, as a deep-rooted oppressive and dehumanising system supported by the USA's unwillingness to grapple with its history as a nation of colonisers and slaveowners (pg. xxxv).

My voice appears as a guide throughout, but my goal is to amplify the voices of others, not speak for them or over them.

Paula Lehman-Ewing's approach to this issue is admirable; the research is well conducted with great care in providing relevant information, both background and additional, in descriptive, precise, and simple language. In true allyship, Paula Lehman-Ewing uses her voice to amplify the testimonies of black people across the USA affected by the all-encompassing consequences of racism perpetuated by the white supremacist system of power.

Thank you to NetGally and North Atlantic Books for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy! For more information on the book and the project, go to https://reimaginingtherevolution.com/.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked a lot of this book - the profiles of currently and formerly incarcerated people fighting against the carceral system and building alternatives were really powerful - but the "compassionate capitalism" chapter on Killer Mike and his financial tech company ruined it for me.

You can't have a solid understanding of how the prison industrial complex functions and still believe that capitalism can be a force for good - you just can't. Abolition is inherently anti-capitalist, and including a pro-capitalist chapter in a book about abolition is incredibly jarring. Especially when there are plenty of Black-led anti-capitalist groups working on improving economic conditions for their communities that the author could have chosen to profile instead, such as Cooperation Jackson and the New Economy Coalition's Black Solidarity Economy Fund.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Ailey | Bisexual Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

Full Rating: 3.75 stars rounded up

Reimagining the Revolution by Paula Lehman-Ewing is a thought-provoking exploration of prison abolition through four in-depth profiles of contemporary social justice groups. Centering on artists and creatives, Lehman-Ewing provides a compelling argument for viewing incarcerated individuals as full, complex people beyond their incarceration. The book’s core mission is to shed light on the inhumane conditions within American prisons and the profound risks incarcerated people face when challenging the prison system.

Lehman-Ewing skillfully deconstructs the exploitation inherent in the prison-industrial complex, highlighting the connection between poverty and criminalization. She traces the evolution of antebellum policies into today's criminal justice system, insisting that no reform can eradicate the inherent racism embedded in its foundation: “Racism infiltrates law enforcement and criminal legal proceedings because America’s original sins - colonialism, genocide, and slavery - have been solidified and carried forth in the country’s foundational legal documents.

The book’s profiles amplify the voices of those impacted by incarceration, documenting the creative and powerful advocacy work done from behind bars and after release. For example, the profile on Critical Resistance, founded by Angela Davis and Ruth Wilson Gilmore, demonstrates the importance of community-led change. The organization’s approach of facilitating the change that communities want, rather than imposing preconceived notions of needed changes, is a recurring theme.

However, not all profiles resonate equally. The chapter on Black-owned Greenwood Bank, founded by rapper Killer Mike, falls flat due to ideological differences with the concept of “compassionate capitalism.” While this approach aims to provide economic empowerment, it contrasts with the book’s overarching critique of systems that intertwine morality and wealth, where successful people are deemed right, and others are seen as broken or criminal.

Lehman-Ewing also touches on the climate crisis, demonstrating how prisons contribute to environmental degradation and create economic chokeholds on towns and cities. She provides a comprehensive look at how prisons perpetuate systemic injustices, arguing that abolition is necessary for true justice and safety: “Organizers do not think of abolition as a destructive practice. Rather, prison dismantlement is a means to opening up space - both physical space and in states’ budgets - to build something new.”

Overall, Reimagining the Revolution is a compelling introduction to abolitionist thought, offering strategies for moving towards a reimagined society. While some chapters may not align with all readers' ideologies, the book remains a valuable resource for those interested in understanding and challenging the prison-industrial complex.

📖 Recommended For: Advocates for Prison Abolition, Social Justice Activists, Readers Interested in Criminal Justice Reform, Fans of Nonfiction Highlighting Marginalized Voices, Those Who Appreciate Detailed Profiles of Grassroots Movements.

🔑 Key Themes: Prison Abolition, Incarceration and Humanity, Intersection of Poverty and Criminalization, Racial Injustice, Creative Advocacy, Historical Continuity of Oppression.

Content / Trigger Warnings: Police Violence (moderate), Pandemic (moderate), Incarceration (severe).

[Kausambhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In *Reimagining the Revolution*, Paula Lehman-Ewing offers a compelling call for readers to rethink their approaches to social change. She challenges us to look beyond traditional methods like street marches and consider more innovative strategies for impact. Lehman-Ewing encourages engaging with the organizations she highlights or crafting new visions for a reimagined world. The book advocates for a nuanced understanding of people, urging readers to see beyond simplistic labels of good or bad. Lehman-Ewing posits that true revolutionary change begins with individual transformation, hoping her book will spark this crucial personal evolution.

Lehman-Ewing’s exploration of art as a tool for advocacy and healing stands out in her work. *Reimagining the Revolution* shines a spotlight on the role of creativity in the struggle for racial justice, particularly through the voices of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated artists. By delving into how these artists use their craft to challenge systemic oppression, the book provides valuable insights into the intersection of art and activism.

As an award-winning journalist and social documentarian, Lehman-Ewing delves deeply into the modern prison abolition movement in the United States. She examines how mass incarceration perpetuates oppression and inequity, profiling organizations like Critical Resistance and the United Black Family Scholarship Foundation that are led by those most impacted by the carceral system. Her detailed accounts of these groups highlight their work in addressing the root causes of injustice, including infrastructure, community development, and economics.

The book also includes a practical guide on sustaining progress in the fight against oppressive systems. Lehman-Ewing advises focusing on specific areas of advocacy to prevent burnout, emphasizing the importance of “staying in your lane.” By concentrating efforts on a chosen cause—whether racial justice, criminal justice, immigration, or women’s rights—individuals and organizations can maximize their impact while supporting other important causes. This focused approach is presented as essential for maintaining energy and effectiveness in long-term struggles for justice.
I particularly liked the various art works features throughout the book, although I was not able to appreciate them wholly because of the digital edition.
Thanks to NetGalley and North Atlantic Books for sending across a digital copy of the book for review and feedback.

[Maileen Hamto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paula Lehman-Ewing, a seasoned journalist, presents her work “Reimaging the Revolution,” which delves into the modern prison abolition movement in the United States. Mass incarceration affects the lives of countless Black and Brown individuals and their families, perpetuating systems of oppression and inequities. Lehman-Ewing profiles organizations and people leading social justice movements to address the root causes of inequities: infrastructure, community development, and economics. The author highlights the groundbreaking work of organizations such as Critical Resistance and the United Black Family Scholarship Foundation, which are led and supported by those most affected by the racist carceral system.

Abolition is not an impossible dream. The author’s writing is characterized by fortitude and directness, as she offers a call to action to pay attention and act. Lehman-Ewing recommends four strategic steps to show readers how those most impacted by the interlocking systems of oppression are developing solutions that work best for communities of color.

Brutality and violence are the tools of police and prisons. Rather than fix a broken system, Lehman-Ewing offers a vision for abolition embodied in everyday practices for anyone. In her role as a storyteller, the author weaves her own reflections into the narrative. She is clear about her position as a witness, not a central player.

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many books I would like to have read. Do you know that feeling? I want the knowledge presented in the book. I even want the experience of reading the book. But I just can't bring myself to slog through all the words. My brain craves narrative and as much as I try to combat it, doomscrolling has crippled my attention-span. Which is why I so appreciate Paula Lehman-Ewing's Reimagining the Revolution. The author is trained as a journalist. Information is gathered and presented in an engaging manner. This is such a gift. I was able to read the book from beginning to end which sounds like the bare minimum but is actually rather rare. Concepts and ideas stretched me but were presented with enough context that I never felt lost. I particularly appreciate the inclusion and discussion of art. This is a great addition to anyone's liberatory library. Thank you to the author, North Atlantic Books, and NetGalley for the eARC.

[Rebecca Montague · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting look at the prison industrial complex and some of the movements and methods to help abolish the modern day slavery that results from that complex.

The author acknowledges early that she as a white woman is not the one to speak on the issue but instead hopes to convey the insights of those most directly impacted by the work.

Art has a large part in the forward and is found throughout the book, but I wasn’t sure how it connected to the book as a whole.


I’m inspired to learn more about the prison industrial complex and the people working to help those most impacted by it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really a foundation, a primer for people seeking more background and information about abolition and some directly related fights. It gives a solid context through personal stories from the people on the ground and living their advocacy and justice work. I also found it useful for identifying and detailing so many organizations that could use the boost. It isn't, in and of itself, revolutionary - and because it tries to cover so much ground it does feel disjointed at times. I would have preferred a more cohesive book, but I'm glad I read this all the same.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the overall message of this book, and there are some poignant moments, however the organization of it was hard to follow. This may be due to the fact I was reading a digital ARC, however, which did not have the formatting that would presumably be in the final copy. The author is trying to tell the stories of several other people, and at times, I was confused about whose story we had jumped to and why, However, I don't think this diminished the impact of what was being said: that the prison industrial complex is not actually that great at preventing crime, and it is dehumanizing to those who are a part of it (a form of legal slavery). Hearing the perspectives of prisoners is eye-opening. I would rank this book amongst "things Americans need to know about."

[Hallie Cheyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, required reading at this point.