No. 31 - End Perpetual Punishment with Zaki Smith

Activist and policy entrepreneur Zaki Smith joins host JP Reynolds to talk about perpetual punishment, restorative justice, and prison reform vs. prison abolition.  About Zaki Smith: Michael “Zaki” Smith is an activist and policy entrepreneur with more than fifteen years of experience in youth empowerment and social justice. Zaki has recently worked with the Clean Slate NY Coalition to advocate for automatic expungement of criminal records in New York State. As part of this work, he has testified in Albany and has co-authored an op-ed with a state senator. In 2020, Zaki launched the #EndPerpetualPunishment arts campaign, which uses murals and art in the neighborhoods most impacted by the criminal justice system to educate and empower community members around making policy change (see brief video here). He is also working on a documentary, and is nearly finished with an illustrated booklet that will guide a series of community-facing events. In addition to his activism work, Zaki continues to be a licensed barber and DJ, using his crafts to connect with the community. About JP Reynolds: Called “remarkably special” by AllHipHop, JP Reynolds is an innovative artist, rapper and songwriter with an eclectic sound. The creator of “rap gumbo,” his music is a powerful blend of jazz, funk, gospel and soul. In addition to music JP is an entrepreneur, coach, activist, and minister. In 2012, he created Peace and Power Media, an artistic hub that produces music and multimedia content. Since 2014, JP has supported young people in pursuing passion and purpose through various initiatives and partnerships with organizations and communities within the non-profit sector. JP holds a Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies and a Master of Divinity from Yale University. Topics of Conversation: Managing in the Pandemic (3:39) • Perpetual Punishment (6:42) • The Role of Art in Activism (14:39) • Breaking the Cycle of False Narratives (19:43) • Restorative Justice (26:11) • Prison Reform v. Prison Abolition (33:33) • How Are We Doing? (41:25) • Forgiveness (47:03) • Faith's Role in Prison Justice (49:15) • Joy (53:16) • How to Get Involved (59:18) Important Note: We wanted to clear any potential confusion regarding the segment on faith and its relationship to prison justice. Zaki was moved by the mention of biblical figure Abraham (50:30) who, according to the text, was not technically wanted for murder, but instead had his faith tested by being commanded to murder his own son. He did not, however, carry out that action. (Genesis 21-22) Another ancient biblical figure, Moses, actually did commit murder, then fled after being wanted for murder by the government. (Exodus 2:11-15) The point of highlighting these figures, who are held in high spiritual esteem by multiple sacred religious communities, is to re-orient how we may look at currently incarcerated or formerly incarcerated persons as they relate to holiness, redemption, and restorative justice. If the Creator would see fit to redeem and even honor the stories and legacies of these people upon whom entire religions are founded, then perhaps our earthly systems should see fit to do the same in our own time. Reading Recommendation: Black Prison Movements USA