Being a survivor + investing time in healing/werq with survivors is very much what got me to this “abolition because policy won’t ever be enough” space

When I say “abolish rent/utilities/landlords” it’s very much from my place as DV survivor..

After experiencing multiple traumatic events in 2017, I was mentally unfit to work..

And my abuser moved in with me...
I put up with hell... just to pay the fucking bills

& when this person moved out, i was left without support + was evicted less than a year later

Shit like... my landlord hounding me about late payments + adding additional fees

Yet, refusing to change the locks quickly when requested, therefore allowing my abuser to access my home w/o my permission are reasons I go so hard for this..

Nobody should be forced to endure harm and violence because they fear the larger unsafety of not having a home.

We don’t need “more affordable housing”

We need the abolition of the idea that an income is what validates how deserving you are of a home

I don’t talk about this..like ever..but after getting to a place in my healing journey where I both feel strong enough to tell this part of my story + engaging in necessary accountability processes w/ said abuser, it’s put a lot into perspective about who I am as an abolitionist

I also think about how my healing was severely compromised by my displacement from my neighborhood

My friends/fam in the west end offered me retreat from the violence and chaos of my home when I felt like I had no other option

Nobody should experience it..

one time at an action avry screamed into the megaphone

“WE DONT DO THIS SHIT FOR FUN! “

This ain’t about being published or seats at the table or positions at the think tank or guest lectures or op-eds

It’s about survival.

Every single time you choose the policy framework.. the negotiation.. the case study... the “let’s exchange ideas breakfast”... the conference

Instead of ABOLISHING IT ALL

You’re choosing to deny somebody experiencing harm/violence our survival.