Abolition X

Abolition X

Abolition X is the podcast that brings abolition to the culture. Hosts Vic Mensa, Indigo Mateo and Richie Reseda discuss how abolition isn't just about dismantling the prison industrial complex, but that it's also about imagining a world based on community, accountability and healing. In every episode, incarcerated people, organizers and artists address how abolition intersects with different aspects of culture — from housing to hip hop — and leave us with a new vision of how we can treat ourselves and each other outside of revenge and punishment.

Episodes

X Grief: Mustafa & Ahwoolay, His Incarcerated Friend

April 26, 2022 • 74 mins
Unprocessed grief can damage our mental, emotional and physical health. It can lead to harmful decision-making and contribute to cycles of trauma and violence. How could creating spaces to process grief help build healthier, safer communities? We talk to Mustafa, a singer, songwriter and poet whose EP “When Smoke Rises” chronicles his grief for loved ones he’s lost to gun violence, including his friend Smoke Dawg. We also talk to A...
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X #ProtectBlackWomen: JT from City Girls & Kaykay, Incarcerated Mother

April 19, 2022 • 70 mins
#ProtectBlackWomen became a rallying cry after police killed Breonna Taylor. Black women are also the fastest-growing population of incarcerated people and suffer high rates of abuse. In this episode, we talk to half of the platinum rap duo City Girls, the amazing rapper JT, who spent two years in prison during her artistic rise. We also talk to Kaykay, who has spent the last 25 years in prison for killing one of the three men who ...
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X Domestic Violence: Prof. Leigh Goodmark & Floyd, Incarcerated Advocate

April 12, 2022 • 72 mins
Even some who believe in abolition struggle with the idea of addressing domestic abuse without locking people up. Learn how to stop domestic violence without prisons from lawyer and professor Leigh Goodmark, author of Decriminalizing Domestic Violence. We also hear from Floyd, an incarcerated survivor of child abuse, who, after committing deadly domestic violence, has dedicated his life to helping men who abuse transform their beha...
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X Forgiveness: JJ'88, Incarcerated Advocate

April 5, 2022 • 69 mins
 Forgiveness heals. But is it required for abolition? Dive into how forgiveness offers a sense of justice for some but not others, with JJ’88, an incarcerated musician and organizer with a unique relationship to forgiveness. Check out our episode notes below for links to resources and some of the other points discussed in this episode. Socials @vicmensa @indigomateo @richiereseda ============== Take a listen to ‘88’s song “Kings ...
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X The Streets: Dr. Ameena Matthews & Michael, Incarcerated Organizer

March 29, 2022 • 59 mins
Many of our people support police because they are unaware of other options to keep them safe from street violence. But violence intervention programs led by former gang members have shown to be more effective all over the country. Dr. Ameena Matthews, violence interrupter and congressional candidate for Chicago’s 1st District, and Michael, a former gang leader and peace advocate serving life without the possibility of parole, show...
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X Gender: Dominique Morgan & Ms. Kelli, Incarcerated Organizer

March 22, 2022 • 75 mins
 The gender system was established by the same colonizers who brought us mass incarceration. The criminal legal system targets trans and nonbinary people at high rates. We talk to Dominique Morgan, the formerly incarcerated director of Black and Pink and the Okra Project, as well as Ms. Kelli, an organizer for trans rights who has been incarcerated for 33 years.  You can find resources for survivors of sexual violence at the RAINN...
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X Sexual Violence: dream hampton & Laura, Incarcerated Survivor

March 15, 2022 • 70 mins
The criminal legal system often fails and antagonizes survivors of sexual violence, but what should exist in its place? We explore this issue with dream hampton, organizer, filmmaker and executive producer of Surviving R. Kelly, and with Laura, an incarcerated survivor serving 50 years to life for killing her longtime abuser. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, know that you aren't alone. Free, confide...
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X Family: Larry Hoover Jr. & Jaki, Incarcerated Mom

March 8, 2022 • 69 mins
The carceral system locks families into cycles of trauma. Peak into the worlds of these resilient families with Larry Hoover Jr., whom we talked to the day after the Kanye and Drake concert to free his father, legendary Chicago gang leader turned peace advocate Larry Hoover, and with Jaki, an incarcerated mother of three.  To find more information and resources for people experiencing domestic abuse, go to the National Domestic Vio...
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X Tech: Dr. Safiya Noble & Brotha C, Incarcerated Coder

March 1, 2022 • 61 mins
We are taught that tech conquers human bias. But it actually can just mechanize the biases of the people who program it. As the punishment industry relies more on tech, how will it affect our communities? We go in with Dr. Safiya Noble, MacArthur Genius Grant winner, tech abolitionist and author of Algorithms Of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism, as well as Brotha C, an incarcerated coder from a community being gentri...
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X Entertainment: Kendrick Sampson & Dre, Incarcerated Filmmaker

February 22, 2022 • 72 mins
The entertainment industry is the biggest propaganda machine on earth. The punishment industry uses this to its advantage. We talk to the homie Kendrick Sampson, an actor making abolitionist media and working to get police off of studio sets. We also talk to Dre, an incarcerated filmmaker creating films from prison. Check out our episode notes below for links to resources and some of the other points discussed in this episode. Soc...
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X Mental Health: Patrisse Cullors & James, Incarcerated Advocate

February 15, 2022 • 77 mins
Mental health is key to how we treat ourselves and each other. But can investing in mental health really make us safer? We holla at Patrisse Cullors – artist, author of An Abolitionist’s Handbook: 12 Steps to Changing the World and Yourself, and caretaker of her brother, who has been criminalized for mental illness. We also talk to James, who is currently serving 15 years in prison for an altercation that took place during a mental...
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Abolition X

February 15, 2022 • 68 mins
Abolition X brings Abolition to the culture. Hosts Vic Mensa, Indigo Mateo & Richie Reseda talk about how they became abolitionists with incarcerated singer, rapper and organizer, JJ’88. You can find resources for survivors of sexual violence at the RAINN website, or by calling (800) 656-HOPE (4673). Check out our episode notes below for links to resources and some of the other points discussed in this episode. Socials @vicmensa ...
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Introducing Abolition X

February 1, 2022 • 1 min
Abolition X is the podcast that brings abolition to the culture. Hosts Vic Mensa, Indigo Mateo and Richie Reseda discuss how abolition isn't just about dismantling the prison industrial complex, but that it's also about imagining a world based on community, accountability and healing. In every episode, incarcerated people, organizers and artists address how abolition intersects with different aspects of culture — from housing to hi...
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