We live in a society of an imposed forgetfulness, a society that depends on public amnesia.
Angela DavisRead
I'm suggesting that we abolish the social function of prisons.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Angela Davis advocates for rethinking the purpose of prisons in society.
In this quote, Angela Davis challenges the traditional view of prisons as necessary institutions for maintaining social order and punishment. She suggests that we should reconsider and potentially eliminate prisons as a social function, promoting the idea that alternative methods for addressing crime and social issues may be more effective and just.
Themes
PrisonsSocial JusticeAbolitionReformSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about criminal justice reform, this quote can be used to advocate for alternatives to incarceration.
More from Angela Davis
All quotes βWell, we see an increasingly weaker labor movement as a result of the overall assault on the labor movement and as a result of the globalization of capital.
Angela DavisRead
Racism is a much more clandestine, much more hidden kind of phenomenon, but at the same time it's perhaps far more terrible than it's ever been.
Angela DavisRead
Imprisonment has become the response of first resort to far too many of our social problems.
Angela DavisRead
It's true that it's within the realm of cultural politics that young people tend to work through political issues, which I think is good, although it's not going to solve the problems
Angela DavisRead
Radical simply means 'grasping things at the root.'
Angela DavisRead
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