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Rundown
In this episode we break down the term “carceral feminism,” which refers to movements that seek to redress violence against women through increased prosecution and harsher punishment for abusers. We discuss the history of this approach, including monumental crime bills that have shaped how we (still) respond to gender-based violence. We then take a look at some of the dangerous consequences of such an approach for the very victims ‘carceral feminism’ seeks to help, providing some illuminating stories of victims who found themselves on the receiving end of unjust carceral punishment. We discuss how this approach lends itself to the neoliberal agenda of rolling back the welfare state, and how this rollback leaves women even more vulnerable to abuse, violence and harassment. We then take a look at the #MeToo movement and analyze the kind of activism it has been spurring. We end on a more positive note, talking about important alternative ways to treat the root cause of the problem and not just the symptom.
Sources and Links
- Alex Press, #MeToo Must Avoid “Carceral Feminism”: https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2018/2/1/16952744/me-too-larry-nassar-judge-aquilina-feminism
- Alix Langone, What’s the Difference Between the #MeToo and Time’s Up Movements?: http://time.com/5189945/whats-the-difference-between-the-metoo-and-times-up-movements/
- Angela Hill, 2011. “This Modern Day Slavery”: Sex Trafficking and Moral Panic in the United Kingdom: http://digitalassets.lib.berkeley.edu/etd/ucb/text/Hill_berkeley_0028E_11637.pdf
- Ava DuVernay’s documentary “13th,” on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80091741
- BCRW Videos, More Laws = More Violence: Criminalization as a Failed Strategy for Anti-Violence Movements: https://vimeo.com/104752683
- Beth Richie, Arrested Justice: Black Feminist Reflections on Carceral Feminism and Prison Abolition (Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei4mJV9k4Wc
- Dean Spade, 2011. Normal Life: Administrative Violence, Critical Trans Politics and the Limits of Law: https://www.amazon.com/Normal-Life-Administrative-Violence-Critical/dp/0896087964
- Elizabeth Sweet, Carceral Feminism: Linking the state, intersectional bodies, and the dichotomy of place: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2043820616655041?journalCode=dhga
- INCITE! Critical Resistance Statement: http://www.incite-national.org/page/incite-critical-resistance-statement
- Inner Hoe Uprising, “The OGs of the Me Too Movement”: https://soundcloud.com/innerhoeuprising/the-ogs-of-the-metoo-movement
- Laura Augustin, The New Abolitionist Model: https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/12/sex-work-the-pimping-of-prostitution-review
- Rev Left Radio, Prison Abolitionism: Abolitionist Feminism and the Anarchist Black Cross: https://revolutionaryleftradio.libsyn.com/prison
- Vegan Warrior Princesses Attack!, The Injustice of Mass Incarceration & Why Vegans Should Care (Part 1): http://veganwarriorprincessesattack.com/117-injustice-mass-incarceration-vegans-care-part-1/
- Vegan Warrior Princesses Attack!, The Injustice of Mass Incarceration & Why Vegans Should Care (Part 2): http://veganwarriorprincessesattack.com/118-injustice-mass-incarceration-vegans-care-part-2/
- Victoria Law, Against Carceral Feminism: https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/10/against-carceral-feminism/
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