Patrisse Cullors has been a force in the social justice and activism space as one of the three founders of the Black Lives Matter movement alongside Opal Tometi and Alicia Garza.
As an artist, author, and freedom fighting organizer, Cullors has been no stranger to vocalizing her opinions through any medium necessary, and she unapologetically uses her social platforms to speak out about artistic and cultural work within the Black community. As we approach the one-year anniversaries of the unjust killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, the self-proclaimed abolitionist has announced the release of a new book for the everyday activist looking to play their role in the fight for justice and equality.
Set for release on October 5, 2021, “An Abolitionist’s Handbook: 12 Steps to Change Yourself and the World” is available for pre-order now and will be published via St. Martins Press. The handbook will serve as a framework for the activists and abolitionists of today’s generation who want to learn about and implement the necessary skills to effect change among Black people and other poor, marginalized and disenfranchised communities during these unprecedented times. If you’re looking for a how-to guide on becoming a modern-day abolitionist through “love, fierce compassion and precision,” you should add this to your cart.
“Abolition is people over profit,” Cullors told ESSENCE in an email about her fall 2021 release. “People over punishment. People over poverty. It’s having access to healthy food, free public education, housing, green space and water. It is imagining what our communities without prisons and the police would be like, and what we can do to promote and help develop this change. ‘An Abolitionist’s Handbook’ lays the framework for how we can turn these ideas into action.”
In the book, Cullors will inform readers of the history of abolitionism while sharing anecdotes and true accounts from her own experiences as well as those of others fighting for change for the liberation, freedom, and equality of our community. Moreover, the book will teach readers the ins and outs of being at the forefront of the movement in various avenues including how to practice forgiveness, honor and prioritize your mental health, and navigate mainstream press requests and opportunities. This book is laying the metaphorical groundwork for any aspiring change agent looking to be part of this rapidly evolving movement.
Cullors has also published “When They Call You A Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir” back in 2018, which became an instant New York Times bestseller. More recently, Cullors released “When They Call You a Terrorist (Young Adult Edition): A Story of Black Lives Matter and the Power to Change the World” in 2020 alongside Asha Bendele with a foreword by Angela Davis.
Recently, Cullors was a staff writer for Freeform’s Good Trouble. Her character Malika Williams (played by actress Zuri Adele) was based on the life of the activist herself. Cullors is also a performance artist, Fulbright scholar, and an NAACP History Maker. Last month it was announced that the Black Lives Matter movement is a current nominee for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.