“Settle your quarrels, come together, understand the reality of our situation, understand that fascism is already here, that people are already dying who could be saved, that generations more will live poor butchered half-lives if you fail to act. Do what must be done, discover your humanity and your love in revolution.” ― George L. Jackson
As as we enter Black August — a commemoration of Black political prisoners in the United States and beyond — we decided to discuss the connections between the punitive, punishing components of student debt and mass incarceration itself.
Why is it important to discuss mass incarceration and abolition?
Debt Collective isn’t just interested in canceling all student debt, medical debt, carceral debt and back rent. We also want free college, medical care and housing for all. We want repair. You see, abolition isn’t just the absence of police and prisons — it’s also the presence of what actually keeps our communities safe, which is access to universal public and reparative goods.
In this live, we spoke with Dr. Saudi Garcia — an Afro-Caribbean, queer, first generation immigrant with a deep passion for justice and liberation for her home, the island of Ayiti (Dominican Republic and Haiti), its people and its diasporas. Grounded in equity, abolitionist and healing ethics, Saudi expresses that passion through her racial equity work in her community and through her work as Program Director at Scholars for Social Justice.
The student loan system is broken!
From August 10-15, student debtors around the nation will take collective action to pressure our elected officials to pause student debt payments and interest. We need to make our voices heard, and making this demand collectively will amplify our voices!
RSVP to our upcoming events. See you there!
