Category:

Social Sciences → Politics / Society → Social Justice / Criminology

Subject:

A thought-provoking essay on alternatives to the traditional criminal justice system (policing, prisons, punishment). The book explores a vision of safety based on human relationships, social justice, and community resources rather than repression.

There is a growing consensus that our legal system serves very few of us while incarcerating too many of us. The nation is waking up to how bloated police budgets fail to keep us safe, with police who not only fail to prevent but actually perpetrate violent crime. But many of us were raised to believe that police and jails keep us safe. Now that we realize they don't, what comes next?

"Zach Norris [is] among the most promising leaders and thinkers of our time, wrestling with pressing questions at the intersection of racial and economic justice from a human rights perspective... Defund Fear powerfully demonstrates that safety, freedom, and justice come from relationships, resources, and real accountability—not more punishment, police, and prisons."

-Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow

"Bright, talented, compassionate, strategic, and committed...

Norris's insights and story will be an enormously important contribution in the effort to advance human rights in this country."

-Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy

"In Defund Fear, Norris argues that we must shift from a mindset of fearing others to a vision of what community safety actually is.... The research backs it up."

-Kate Tuttle, Boston Globe

"A powerful book that is very much in the tradition of Ella Baker's radical humanitarianism. Rejecting fear-based, revenge-based models of 'justice,' Norris's work pays homage to an entire generation of activists who are not only clear about what they are against but who are collectively creating a vision and a practice of what the future could look like. A must-read."

-Barbara Ransby, author of Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement

"In Defund Fear, Norris masterfully captures our deep yearning for connection and compassion as we navigate the complex issue of accountability and reminds us of our humanity and that we have a choice to do things differently."

-Patrisse Cullors, author of When Jhey Call You a Terrorist