Abolitionist Archeatypes
By Dhoruba Shuaib
When I've thought of abolitionists in the past, I typically thought of different archetypes. I think of the protester, the petitioners, the hunger strikers, and even the educated mouth pieces. I always thought about the people you see out in the front lines; the "Harriet Tubmans" & "Al Sharptons"...
However, more recently I've been thinking about abolition a little bit differently. I started to look more critically at my definition of abolition. I always thought of abolition as advocacy in the abolishment of oppressive systems and the empowerment of those very same oppressed peoples. And if that is the case, then the abolitionist archetype that I've come accustomed to is deficient. I've been completely disregarding the common people; the people who wouldn't describe themseleves as an abolitionist; and the people who advocate for and empower oppressed people on a daily bases but have never even seen a protest let alone went to one.
My father is a perfect example of this type of abolitionist. I say that because he doesn't fit the mold of the ideal abolitionist. He doesn't go to anti-mass incarceration protests, sit-ins, he doesn't attend rallys or go to speak to legislators to change laws, yet he does do abolition in his own way. Ever since his release from prison 30+ years ago, he has made it his duty to write, visit, and educate currently incarcerated individuals on a monthly basis. Ever since I was born, I can remember him consistently writing at least 60 incarcerated people every month. And visiting them, providing them with packages and teaching them about the oppressive systems that he is familiar with. That is his own personal way of empowering oppressed people---even if its only 60 at a time...
What this has taught me a few things...1) that all abolition doesn't have to be what everyone does--it can be unique. 2) that people's form of abolition should be specific to what they are passionate and good at. And 3) even though someone's form of abolition may seem small that its big to some one....--Dhoruba Shuaib