An Act of Love: Building a Collaborative for Reproductive Justice and Abolition Amidst Tumultuous Times
Keywords:
social work, reproductive justice, reproductive rights, prison abolitionAbstract
Within the impending threat of a second Trump presidency, two social work academics and activists–one Black, one white–deeply committed to reproductive justice and abolitionist frameworks, created a collaborative dedicated to these values prior to the 2024 election. This collaborative, born out of shared histories of marginalization, is grounded in the belief that reproductive justice and abolition are acts of love. Through this collaborative, the authors empower social workers—particularly students—to engage in grassroots advocacy, education, and policy work that challenges systemic harm and centers Black and marginalized communities. This paper explores the authors’ personal and professional journeys, the development of the collaborative, and their ongoing efforts to foster accountability and action among social workers during politically turbulent times. In doing so, it highlights the critical importance of embedding reproductive justice and abolition within social work practice, education, and advocacy as a necessary response to this political climate.
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