"The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" is a book written by Michelle Alexander, a legal scholar and civil rights advocate. The book argues that the American criminal justice system has created a new form of racialized control and oppression, similar to the old Jim Crow laws that were in place during the era of segregation.
In the book, Alexander argues that the War on Drugs, which began in the 1980s, has been used as a means to target communities of color and has led to the disproportionate imprisonment of black Americans. She argues that this system is perpetuated through a series of policies, including mandatory minimum sentences, "three strikes" laws, and the use of racial profiling by law enforcement.
Alexander argues that the effects of this system have been devastating for communities of color, leading to the creation of a permanent undercaste of people who are excluded from full citizenship rights, such as the right to vote and the ability to get a job. She contends that this system is perpetuated through a series of laws and policies that effectively discriminate against people who have been convicted of a crime, even after they have served their sentences.
Alexander also argues that the system is perpetuated through what she calls "colorblindness," which is the belief that race no longer matters in America. She argues that this idea has been used to justify the continued oppression of communities of color, even as racial disparities in the criminal justice system continue to persist.
The book is a powerful critique of the American criminal justice system and its impact on communities of color. Alexander argues that the system is perpetuated through a series of policies and laws that are designed to keep people of color in a state of permanent oppression, similar to the old Jim Crow laws.
In conclusion, "The New Jim Crow" is a powerful and thought-provoking book that challenges the idea that America has become a post-racial society. Alexander's argument is well-researched and carefully documented, making this book an important contribution to the ongoing debates about race and the criminal justice system in America. Whether you are a student of history, a legal scholar, or simply interested in social justice, "The New Jim Crow" is a book that is well worth reading.
