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amandasbookreview 's review for:
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
by Michelle Alexander
It took me a few days to get through The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander because it was difficult to take in. I grew up very sheltered and even when exposed to the world, I did not realize how bad it is. Michelle Alexander argues that after the dismantling of the Jim Crow laws we created another system to ensure the racial divide. By targeting Black men and communities of color, The War on Drugs punishes rather than rehabilitates, ensuring racial control. While the Jim Crow laws are gone but if you are convicted on a felony, you are subjected to many of those laws-making it difficult to turn life around and thrive. Once in the system, it is very difficult to get out.
“The fact that some African Americans have experienced great success in recent years does not mean that something akin to a racial caste system no longer exists.”
THE NEW JIM CROW PAGE 21
I am having a very difficult time writing this review because I have way too many quotes I want to share. I plan to buy this book so I can reread it and highlight important passages—which I may end up highlighting the whole book. This book is a must-read. Why isn’t this book required reading? Not only does Michelle Alexander make the argument she backs it up with facts, events, and data. Even if you disagree with her argument, you have to at least admit there is a very big problem. Our criminal justice system is corrupt and is fueled by greed and racial control. This book is divided into 6 main sections that discuss the Jim Crow laws, how they came to an end, the development of the War on Drugs, and the development of mass incarceration.
“Drug offenses alone account for 2/3 of the rise in federal inmate population and more than 1/2 of state prisoners between 1985 and 2000.”
THE NEW JIM CROW
“1/2 million people are in prison for a drug-related offense today compared to 41,900—1,100% increase.”
THE NEW JIM CROW
There are many things that encourage this rise, the privatization of prisons, police benefiting from drug busts, and complete rights violations like stop and frisk. Not only does the author make a great argument, it sheds light on a corrupt system that will not be healed overnight. And until the system is fixed, there is no equality. I really encourage everyone to read this book. 5 out of 5 stars.
“The fact that some African Americans have experienced great success in recent years does not mean that something akin to a racial caste system no longer exists.”
THE NEW JIM CROW PAGE 21
I am having a very difficult time writing this review because I have way too many quotes I want to share. I plan to buy this book so I can reread it and highlight important passages—which I may end up highlighting the whole book. This book is a must-read. Why isn’t this book required reading? Not only does Michelle Alexander make the argument she backs it up with facts, events, and data. Even if you disagree with her argument, you have to at least admit there is a very big problem. Our criminal justice system is corrupt and is fueled by greed and racial control. This book is divided into 6 main sections that discuss the Jim Crow laws, how they came to an end, the development of the War on Drugs, and the development of mass incarceration.
“Drug offenses alone account for 2/3 of the rise in federal inmate population and more than 1/2 of state prisoners between 1985 and 2000.”
THE NEW JIM CROW
“1/2 million people are in prison for a drug-related offense today compared to 41,900—1,100% increase.”
THE NEW JIM CROW
There are many things that encourage this rise, the privatization of prisons, police benefiting from drug busts, and complete rights violations like stop and frisk. Not only does the author make a great argument, it sheds light on a corrupt system that will not be healed overnight. And until the system is fixed, there is no equality. I really encourage everyone to read this book. 5 out of 5 stars.