The System Invented These Words - He Flipped The Narrative On Them 

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Zain Murdock
December 20, 2024

In 1971, Eddie Ellis survived the historic Attica Prison Uprising. In the 2000s, he made history-changing the way we discuss incarceration and incarcerated people.

“Inmate”: In 2007, Ellis wrote, “When we are not called mad dogs, animals, predators … we are referred to as inmates, convicts, prisoners and felons—all terms devoid of humanness which identify us as ‘things’ rather than as people.” “Inmate” describes one who is “mated” to another—the imprisoned belonging to the one who imprisons. Instead, we can say “incarcerated people” or “people in prison.” Much like “enslaved person” or “unhoused person,” this also more accurately describes relationships of power.

“Ex-Con”: The same goes for someone who was imprisoned in the past. According to the Amsterdam News, an email blast Ellis penned in 2002 popularized an alternative, “formerly incarcerated person,” in activist circles.

 “Criminal”: Before calling anyone a “criminal,” we must interrogate our-and the system’s- definition of “crime.” Shoplifting groceries is criminalized. But what about wage theft? Or environmentally destructive wealth-hoarding? Rape’s a crime. But sexual violence is rampant-with many victims behind bars. And for centuries, legislation has also criminalized Blackness itself.

Language both describes and holds power. Being intentional about how we shape the narrative around prisons and imprisoned people is a step towards delegitimizing the system itself - and we can thank Ellis and countless other incarcerated thinkers for that.

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