Alan J. Dettlaff | Lightnews

Alan Dettlaff

@alandettlaff.com

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Co-founder of the upEND movement to abolish the family policing system | Writer and co-facilitator at Toward Liberation, an abolitionist learning group | www.alandettlaff.com | www.towardliberation.com

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Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Sep 15

NEW FROM ABOLITIONIST PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIAL WORK!

SPECIAL ISSUE: Thinking and Practicing Abolition Through Palestine

All articles are open access and available to download now: apsw-ojs-uh.tdl.org/apsw/index

Purple journal cover with title of journal and special issue.

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

upEND Movement @upendmovement.org · 5d

upEND Movement, MJCF Coalition, and Mothers Outreach Network signed onto an amicus brief to appeal the decisions in the State v. Nieves and State v. Cifelli, and the appeal was upheld by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

buff.ly/TXzEyne

Amicus Brief Successful in New Jersey Supreme Court - upEND Movement

These cases highlight the intersections of family policing, the criminal legal system, and the inherent violence of mandated reporting.

upendmovement.org

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 6d

The solution to a lack of safe housing is actually quite simple. Just imagine if we took the funds we currently use to pay foster parents, and instead used it to provide housing for families who need it. It can really be that simple.

www.thenation.com/article/soci...

“Nobody Blames the Landlord. They Just Take Away the Kids.”

All too often, when parents can’t afford safe housing, the solution child welfare services offer is putting their children in foster care.

www.thenation.com

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

Maya Schenwar @mayaschenwar.bsky.social · 8d

Movement journalism isn't just a nice thing to have: It's essential to expose injustice, uplift movements, and share visions for our collective futures.

Amazing @femmfeministe.bsky.social and I wrote about why resourcing journalism is important, especially right now!

truthout.org/articles/the...

The Right Funds Its Media. Can Progressive Philanthropy Meet the Moment?

Rigorous, principled, independent journalism is an essential part of movement building.

truthout.org

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 9d

Stay tuned for an announcement about our next book selection, as well as some reflections on this year's reads from me, connease, and Maya. TL is always free, so sign up and join us anytime: www.towardliberation.com

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 9d

This was our last meeting of the year, but if you haven't had the opportunity to join us yet, we'll be picking up in January with a new book and some exciting new conversations. I hope you'll consider joining us.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 9d

Last night, we had such a beautiful meeting of Toward Liberation where we met with author Mali D. Collins to discuss her book, Scrap Theory: Reproductive Injustice in the Black Feminist Imagination. Everyone was engaged and people were really moved by both the book and the discussion.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 12d

Join us on Monday, November 17 for our final Toward Liberation meeting of the year featuring Mali D. Collins, author of Scrap Theory. As always, if you weren't able to read along with us this month, you're still very welcome to join.

REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/TLNovember2025

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

upEND Movement @upendmovement.org · 15d

Despite the struggles the community faces at Montrose Grace Place, it’s a JOYFUL place. ❤️ Love is contagious there.

And we hope you’ll get to experience it through the portrait of the youth featured in upEND’s short doc #AVisionOfGrace. buff.ly/EtK0G9t

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 16d

It is a mistake to think democrats caved. It is a mistake to think democrats are cowards. The quiet truth is that democrats want the same thing republicans want. There are not two parties. There is one empire. The sooner we understand this, the sooner we will move toward liberation.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 17d

Two new articles are out in Abolitionist Perspectives in Social Work this week. The abstracts are below and the full articles are available for free, open-access download at the journal's website: apsw-ojs-uh.tdl.org/apsw/issue/v...

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Alan J. Dettlaff

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 17d

I don't think it's cowardice. I think that they are OK with what the GOP is doing. The sooner folks reconcile with this, the better.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 20d

Join the Social Work Activist Collective on November 20 for a conversation on overcoming hopelessness and fear. For our last meeting of the year we wanted to create a space to share stories of resilience and ideas for where we can find collective strength. Join us!

REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/SWACNov20th

Flyer for November 20th event, Overcoming Hopelessness and Fear. Information about the event included in the text post is overlaid on an image of the roots of a tree.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 22d

I have very little faith that electoral politics is the way to bring about real change, but i hope this sends a message that pandering to the right, throwing trans people under the bus, and supporting a genocide are not winning strategies.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 23d

New in Abolitionist Perspectives in Social Work. Always open access. Read and download here: apsw-ojs-uh.tdl.org/apsw/article...

Title of the article: "“Where Else Could I Really Go?” Transcarceration as a Frame for Understanding the Role of Skilled Nursing Facilities for Older People Experiencing Homelessness."

Abstract: Skilled nursing facilities are an established destination for older adults who need assistance with activities of daily living that surpass what is accessible and feasible in the community. Homelessness in later life can exacerbate social, financial, and medical disparities that restrict access to quality community-based care. Existing research on homelessness in skilled nursing neglects the documented experiences of care provision with older people experiencing homelessness. Through a multi-case theory building approach using medical charts (n = 38) from a mobile outreach team and interviews (n=30) with cross-sector care professionals, this study examines the conceptual fit of transcarceration to understand skilled nursing’s role in the holistic care of older people experiencing homelessness. Findings highlight empirical overlap of key constructs: (1) anticipated loss of autonomy, (2) expulsion, and (3) containment, as well as (4) case exceptions where specialized programming and informal care insulated patients from risk. Findings illuminate pathways for social workers to support community-based and institutional innovation, and help pinpoint foci of local, state, and federal advocacy to realize liberatory care for older people experiencing homelessness.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 24d

This is a devastating story of a grandmother who did everything possible to care for her grandchildren and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services who put up roadblock after roadblock and ultimately took her grandchildren away from her.

www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Nana kept her grandkids out of foster care. Then the foreclosure notice arrived.

Millions are caring for kin to keep them from foster care. Rochelle gave USA TODAY an inside look at the difficulties many of them experience.

www.usatoday.com

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

awkword @awkword.bsky.social · 27d

"Abolitionist work and abolitionist practice is a valid form of academic inquiry that not just schools of social work but all educational institutions should be studying"

- Alan Dettlaff 
@alandettlaff.com

AWKWORD INTERVIEWS: Alan Dettlaff, Co-Founder, upEND Movement

YouTube video by AWKWORD

youtu.be

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 29d

Join the Social Work Activist Collective (@swactivists.bsky.social) on Thursday, October 30, to learn about the Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions (BDS) movement and how you can get involved! REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/SWACOct30th

Text that reads: Are you wondering where to begin in the fight for social justice? Join us as we spend the evening together discussing resistance in the midst of the current political climate. Learn about BDS and its efforts in achieving freedom, justice, and equality for the Palestinian people. We hope that you can use this opportunity to engage with this Palestinian-led movement and its work promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against Israel. We hope to see you all there!

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Oct 27

Join us at Toward Liberation on November 17th for a virtual discussion of "Scrap Theory: Reproductive Injustice in the Black Feminist Imagination" featuring author Mali D. Collins. As always, all are welcome (even if you haven't been reading with us this month). REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/TLNovember2025

Cover image of Scrap Theory and a photo of Mali D. Collins, along with information about the event included in the post.

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · Oct 24

PEN America condemns the cancellation of a graduate-level course at the University of Houston, “Confronting Oppression & Injustice,” as an egregious example of the censorship spreading across public colleges and universities in Texas. pen.org/press-releas...

Cancellation of Graduate Course at University of Houston a Blow to Academic Freedom

Cancellation of graduate course at University of Houston shows blatant disregard of faculty expertise and a blow to academic freedom.

pen.org

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

Inside Higher Ed @insidehighered.com · Oct 23

@uh.edu Cancels ‘Confronting Oppression & Injustice’ Course

The course’s axing is yet another example of curricular censorship at Texas public universities. https://bit.ly/4748W06

#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

TEN DEMANDS (The Abolitionists) @tendemands.bsky.social · Oct 22

Yes, it took some time, but we promised Google couldn’t hold us back…

TEN DEMANDS finally has a home, again — for #TenForJustice (the demands) and all our easy calls to action!

Check it out: thisisawkword.com/ten-demands

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Oct 21

Join the Social Work Activist Collective on Thursday, October 30th at 7:00 PM ET for a discussion on the Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions movement and why every social worker should be engaged in this.

REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/SWACOct30th

Upcoming Events flyer for the Social Work Activist Collective. October 30: Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions. November 20: Hopelessness & Fear. January 29: Checking In and Touching Base.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Oct 20

In this article from our special issue, "Thinking and Practicing Abolition Through Palestine," the authors use an abolitionist lens to explore how the idea of "non-violence" has been weaponized to delegitimize resistance against oppression. Available open access at our website: www.APSWJournal.com.

A woman photographed from the back holding a Palestinian flag overlaid with the title of the journal article, "Lessons from Abolition on the Violence/Non-Violence Binary and the Palestinian Struggle for Liberation."

Abstract of the article: This article examines how social work and public health professionals have engaged with calls for a ceasefire in Palestine following October 7, 2023, and how these calls, in failing to interrogate the structural conditions of occupation, reinforce dominant frameworks that racialize resistance. We first analyze how social work and public health fields have historically operated within a limited framework of violence that centers on individual acts while obscuring structural violence, including settler colonialism, racial capitalism, and imperial warfare. We then examine how Palestinians have historically navigated state repression, focusing on how non-violence has been weaponized to delegitimize resistance while state violence remains normalized. Through a historical analysis of Palestinian liberation movements, we examine the implications of overlooking structural violence on the understanding of resistance in social work and public health. This article highlights how professional social work and public health organizations have reinforced carceral logics through their framing of violence and non-violence, and how an abolitionist framework can reorient these fields toward a more radical approach to solidarity.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Oct 17

Resharing my thoughts on No Kings from earlier this year: www.towardliberation.com/p/on-violenc...

On Violence, Nonviolence, & "No Kings"

“Into this atmosphere of totalizing violence, they introduced a counter-violence that communicated their willingness to universalize the disposability of life, if no other options were available.” - T...

www.towardliberation.com

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

upEND Movement @upendmovement.org · Oct 16

upEND’s Josie Pickens writes for @newsoneofficial.bsky.social about a Michigan mother charged with “food stamp fraud.” When a mom trying to feed her kids gets criminalized, that’s not justice. That’s surveillance, control, and punishment wrapped in the language of “help.” newsone.com/6490272/mich...

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

upEND Movement @upendmovement.org · Oct 15

Ten Books to Get To Know Me (upEND edition) 📚

And if you want to learn more about #FamilyPolicing and #Abolition, we have a whole #syllabus on our website. upendmovement.org/syllabus/

1. Confronting the Racist Legacy of the American Child Welfare System: The Case for Abolition by Alan Dettlaff
2. Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families--and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World by Dorothy Roberts
3. The School for Good Mothers: A Novel by Jessamine Chan
4. We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America by Roxanna Asgarian
5. Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom by Derecka Purnell
6. We Do This ‘Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice by Mariame Kaba
7. We Grow the World Together: Parenting Toward Abolition by Maya Schenwar and Kim Wilson
8. Shattered Bonds: The Color of Child Welfare by Dorothy Roberts
9. The Black Child-Savers: Racial Democracy and Juvenile Justice by Geoff K. Ward
10. Border and Rule by Harsha Walia

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Oct 15

The truth from Miss Major: "The police have been monsters. They're all worthless, unimaginable, horrible people and destructive to mankind in general, especially to my trans and gender nonconforming community…they are the most detrimental thing to ever happen." ❤️🏳️‍⚧️

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Oct 14

JOIN US this Thursday, October 16th at 6:00 PM Eastern for a special roundtable with the authors of the recently published papers in Abolitionist Perspectives in Social Work on "Thinking and Practicing Abolition Through Palestine."
REGISTER HERE: www.bit.ly/APSWRoundtable

A woman photographed from the back holding a Palestinian flag overlaid with information about the webinar contained in the text post.

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

TEN DEMANDS (The Abolitionists) @tendemands.bsky.social · Oct 14

The Ten Demands for Justice provides the roadmap to abolition — with each action chipping away at an inherently, intentionally unjust system.

Read all 10 here, and print this PDF to bring to your city council members.

drive.google.com/file/d/1MKG3...

web.archive.org/web/20240622...

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