The End of Policing by Alex S. Vitale
Like a lot of people, I've been trying to learn more about the reasons underlying structural racism and police brutality. However, until recently, I never imagined a solution other than police reform. The end of policing is difficult to imagine - and I'm only starting to see the extent of the media's influence over this difficulty. That is why I wanted to read this book: to help me imagine alternatives to the police.
The End of Policing is about so much more than structural racism; different chapters cover different problems with the police force as it stands, including the criminalisation of homelessness, sex work, and drugs. Vitale, however, is always aware of the overlaps, and constantly draws the reader's attention to the way the police disproportionately target people of colour and people living in poverty. The book's conclusion also neatly ties the book together without simply repeating previous content. The breadth of subject-matter was much greater than I had been anticipating, and made me realise the extent of the problem.
Vitale breaks down the chapters into small sub-sections, which look at the current problems; suggestions for reform, and why these are inadequate; and plausible alternatives. The writing is clear and accessible throughout, real-life examples are given to help illustrate the points being made, and statistics are used sparingly. Even though the alternatives were of most interest to me, I was never bored by the laying-out of problems with the current system, even where there was information I already knew. I think this has a lot to do with the importance of what is being said, although Vitale's concise writing style also helped.
While a lot of the book's focus is on the US, the larger issues being discussed are of just as much relevance to other countries, and Vitale does draw other countries (including the UK) into his discussions. This book was published in 2017, but feels so relevant to our current moment.
The title of this book might have put me off not so long ago, but I was surprised by how much of what Vitale writes felt like common sense. I found myself nodding along throughout. If you've been reading about structural racism recently, I really think this book is the logical next step. It shows that there are alternatives to the police. It shows that there is the possibility of a better future.
If you want to learn more about structural racism in the UK, I'd recommend Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race; for mass incarceration, I'd recommend the documentary 13th (2016); and for the criminalisation of sex work, I'd recommend Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight for Sex Workers’ Rights.
The ebook of The End of Policing is currently free (you might want to consider donating the money you've saved to a relevant cause, if you feel able). Ava DuVernay's 13th is currently free on Netflix and (if you don't subscribe) YouTube. Also, Reni Eddo-Lodge has asked that people, where possible, borrow Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race and donate what they would have spent; or buy it from their local independent bookshop, and also donate to their local and national racial justice organisations.
The End of Policing is about so much more than structural racism; different chapters cover different problems with the police force as it stands, including the criminalisation of homelessness, sex work, and drugs. Vitale, however, is always aware of the overlaps, and constantly draws the reader's attention to the way the police disproportionately target people of colour and people living in poverty. The book's conclusion also neatly ties the book together without simply repeating previous content. The breadth of subject-matter was much greater than I had been anticipating, and made me realise the extent of the problem.
Vitale breaks down the chapters into small sub-sections, which look at the current problems; suggestions for reform, and why these are inadequate; and plausible alternatives. The writing is clear and accessible throughout, real-life examples are given to help illustrate the points being made, and statistics are used sparingly. Even though the alternatives were of most interest to me, I was never bored by the laying-out of problems with the current system, even where there was information I already knew. I think this has a lot to do with the importance of what is being said, although Vitale's concise writing style also helped.
While a lot of the book's focus is on the US, the larger issues being discussed are of just as much relevance to other countries, and Vitale does draw other countries (including the UK) into his discussions. This book was published in 2017, but feels so relevant to our current moment.
The title of this book might have put me off not so long ago, but I was surprised by how much of what Vitale writes felt like common sense. I found myself nodding along throughout. If you've been reading about structural racism recently, I really think this book is the logical next step. It shows that there are alternatives to the police. It shows that there is the possibility of a better future.
If you want to learn more about structural racism in the UK, I'd recommend Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race; for mass incarceration, I'd recommend the documentary 13th (2016); and for the criminalisation of sex work, I'd recommend Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight for Sex Workers’ Rights.
The ebook of The End of Policing is currently free (you might want to consider donating the money you've saved to a relevant cause, if you feel able). Ava DuVernay's 13th is currently free on Netflix and (if you don't subscribe) YouTube. Also, Reni Eddo-Lodge has asked that people, where possible, borrow Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race and donate what they would have spent; or buy it from their local independent bookshop, and also donate to their local and national racial justice organisations.
No comments have been added yet.
