The new jim crow kindle edition by alexander, michelle. It helps to answer important questions and discussion may bring out information and new points of view on questions like. Feb 03, 20 the new jim crow discredited, advocates demand revision radical scholars and social justice activists say the popular discourse of the new jim crow promotes a false understanding of mass incarceration in the united states and serves to reinforce the status quo by quietly separating mass incarceration from its most defining and central features. Alexander, an attorney who is a civil rights advocate and litigator, asserts that crimefighting policies and systems in the united states, such as the war on drugs and the incarceration system, disproportionately. Subreddit rules message the mods related subs ama info the faq the wiki this is a moderated subreddit. It landed on bestseller lists, was discussed in the media endlessly, made alexander an activistscholar hero, and led to many subsequent handbooks and publications on how to bring its prescriptions for a better criminal justice system to fruition. The new jim crow is a political book that advocates for racial justice, especially for african americans. Its a book that literally changed my outlook on life.
Aug 26, 2014 theres no better book to start with on that project than michelle alexanders the new jim crow. Why you cant blame mass incarceration on the war on drugs vox. Why you should read the new jim crow by michelle alexander. As the united states celebrates the nations triumph over race with the election of barack obama, the majority of young black men in major american cities are locked behind bars or have been labeled felons for life. Similar topic discussing unfairness in the justice system and very powerful. The new jim crow, by michelle alexander j savvy says. New jim crow term paper michelle alexanders the new jim crow. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness by michelle alexander. Invite others to read the new jim crow and organize more discussion groups, perhaps including those from other faith communities and civic or community organizations.
Personal conduct please use a civil tone and assume good faith when entering a conversation. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness by michelle alexander the new press, 2012. Reading this book was a trip down the rabbit hole into an alternate universe where things many of us believe. Michelle alexander is a civil rights attorney and the author of the new jim crow. Sep 17, 2014 id like to start off the discussion with some brief thoughts on chapter 1 and the introduction.
Watch michelle alexanders address to general assembly 2012 andor arrange for a showing in your congregation. While the war on drugs, hopped up on federal funds and confiscated property, is systematically exploiting african. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness by michelle alexander is such a work. The book discusses racerelated issues specific to africanamerican males and mass incarceration in the united states, but alexander noted that the discrimination faced by africanamerican males is prevalent among other minorities and socioeconomically.
Through these events, we engaged over 800 unique participants. Many in the legal academy have heard of michelle alexanders new book, the new jim crow. The new jim crow 1 january 2017 in michelle alexanders book the new jim crow, she shows how americas war on drugs has become a tool of racial segregation and how the discretionary enforcement of drug laws has resulted in an overwhelmingly negative affect on its black population. Michelle alexander, in the new jim crow decrees the only thing capable of saving this country is a vast social movement that annihilates the social distance between criminals and socalled law abiding citizens those who are arrested for possession of marijuana and those who smoke weed on their couch, a social movement that destroys the us. As a whole, this is a very useful book for anyone interested in understanding the criminal injustice system. Apr 09, 2015 mass incarceration is not the new jim crow by r. Alexander begins with a retrospective look at race relations in america. The book begins by disproving claims that racism is dead. This book is a heavy read but it is inspiring in that it opens the door for people to educate themselves on an incarceration caste system that operates in the same manner as jim crow. Steve marioti, writing for huffington post, called it a must read for every american. Since it was first published in 2010, it has been cited in judicial decisions and has been adopted in campuswide and communitywide reads. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness by michelle alexander and cornel west.
The new jim crow was an undeniable phenomenon when it came out. Chapter 5 the new jim crow states of denial how it works nothing new. For anyone who hasnt read the new jim crow by michelle alexander, now is the time to pick it up from your local bookstore, purchase it on amazon, or check it out from your towns library. Seldom does a book have the impact of michelle alexanders the new jim crow. Chapter 5 the new jim crow states of denial how it works. There will be a free book discussion open to the public on wednesday, july 24 from. This important book, first published in america nearly 10 years. It presents arguments and evidence that the civil rights movement in the united states in the 1950s and 1960s only partially succeeded in granting african americans equal rights. Reprinted in his book the insecurity of freedom jewish publication society, philadelphia 1966 chapter 1 describes the historical transition from slavery to jim crow to the new jim crow. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness by michelle alexander will pick up your everyday white liberal guilt, tie it in knots, and leave you wondering how you could have ever been so simpleminded as to think colorblindness was benign, let alone desirable.
Racial bias permeates the american criminal justice system, affecting. Jan 16, 2012 once in a great while a book comes along that changes the way we see the world and helps to fuel a nationwide social movement. At this point, everybody and their mama has heard of the new jim crow. Mass incarceration is not the new jim crow orchestrated pulse. The new jim crow discredited, advocates demand revision. Penn, gigi 2011 the new jim crow by michelle alexander. Over the course of 2016 and 2017, we held eight community events focused on capters of the new jim crow. Theres no better book to start with on that project than michelle alexanders the new jim crow. The new jim crow is a book that gives a look on how discrimination is still and at some post more prevalent today than it was in the 1850s. Discussion guide helps readers explore the new jim crow. Mass incarceration is not the new jim crow orchestrated. The warehousing of innercity youths, she writes, is a new form of jim crow under which drug offendersin jail or prison, on probation or paroleare denied employment, housing, education and public benefits.
A free, downloadable pdf of the guide is available to groups that have read or are planning to read the new jim crow together, and to educators and students using the book. Mar 18, 20 american friends service committee 1501 cherry street, philadelphia, pa 19102 2152417000. The new jim crow study guide and call to action is designed as a companion to the new jim crow. Once in a great while a book comes along that changes the way we see the world and helps to fuel a nationwide social movement. The 2012 unitarian universalist association common read is the new jim crow. I reached the conclusions presented in this book reluctantly. Public hosted by orange county racial justice collaborative. The new jim crow topics for discussion michelle alexander and michelle mccool this study guide consists of approximately 27 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the new jim crow. Mass incarceration in an age of colorblindness i realize that i had no idea what im up against. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness is a book by michelle alexander, a civil rights litigator and legal scholar. The new jim crow book discussion will explore mass incarceration. The new jim crow by onbldgcommunitybookclub see profile 052914.
All posts must be directly book related, informative, and discussion focused. Those with a racist, antiblack agenda in the southern states. May 30, 2017 the standard story of mass incarceration, as pfaff calls it, was largely popularized by a 2010 book, the new jim crow. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness, by michelle alexander the new press, new york, n. The new jim crow highlights the racial dimensions of the war on drugs. The last book party by karen dukess check out the weekly recommendation thread. Praised by harvard law professor lani guinier as brave and bold, this book directly challenges the notion that the election of barack obama signals a new era of colorblindness.
It argues that federal drug policy unfairly targets communities of color, keeping millions of young, black men in a cycle of poverty and behind bars. Feb 01, 2010 the warehousing of innercity youths, she writes, is a new form of jim crow under which drug offendersin jail or prison, on probation or paroleare denied employment, housing, education and public benefits. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness by michelle alexander 2010, the new press, new york. The new jim crow introduction and chapters 12 summary. The new jim crow challenges the civil rights community and all of us to place mass incarceration at the forefront of a new movement for racial justice in america. The new jim crow is a book by michelle alexander that compares mass incarceration of africanamerican men to racial social control of the jim. Study guide for the new jim crow american friends service. Assumptions in the new jim crow here are the notes from our discussion of assumptions in michelle alexanders article on thursday, february 23, and friday, february 24, 2012, followed by a few other assumptions i have identified. Jewish study guide for the new jim crow memberclicks. Dec 02, 2012 many in the legal academy have heard of michelle alexanders new book, the new jim crow. Those who believe that full equality been achieved would do well.
John legend quoted the books argument that more black people are imprisoned today than were. However, none of these pieces of evidence could convince anyone of the racist injustice of mass incarceration on its own. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. A black man was on his knees in the gutter, hands cuffed behind his back, as several police.
It is required reading for anyone interested in criminal justice reform and racial inequality in the united states, especially when our president, donald trump, has nominated senator jeff sessions to be. The main themes in the new jim crow are racism, systemic oppression, and drug crime racism. Our effort also supported 35 book groups, 10 films and other community events, and distributed 2,000 copies of the new jim crow. Praised by harvard regulation professor lani guinier as brave and daring, this book immediately challenges the notion that the election of barack. The new jim crow is filled with statistical examples, legal cases, and personal anecdotes that serve to support alexanders overall arguments about mass incarceration. Id like to start off the discussion with some brief thoughts on chapter 1 and the introduction.
Although jim crow laws have been wiped off the books, an astounding percentage of the african american community remains trapped in a subordinate status much like their. American friends service committee 1501 cherry street, philadelphia, pa 19102 2152417000. Public hosted by black alliance of thurston county. To request free copies for your study group, please click here. It is our intent and purpose to foster and encourage indepth discussion about all things related to books. This is the second installment in a series discussing michelle alexanders book the new jim crow. The new jim crow challenges the civil rights communityand all of usto place mass incarceration at the forefront of a new movement for racial justice in america. Instant downloads of all 1291 litchart pdfs including the new jim crow.
Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness goes into great detail on race related issues that were specific to black males, the mass incarceration, and how that lead to the development of institutionalized racism in the united states. The birth of jim crow the death of jim crow the birth of mass incarceration chapter 2 the lockdown. The new jim crow book discussion will explore mass incarceration, race and the criminal justice system. Before writing her book, alexander was the director of the racial justice project at the aclu. As quickly as in a tremendous whereas a book comes alongside that modifications the easiest way we see the world and helps to gasoline a nationwide social movement. We can discuss below whether this works for people. The new jim crow summary and study guide supersummary. What has changed since the collapse of jim crow has less to do with the basic structure of. John legend quoted the books argument that more black people are imprisoned today than were enslaved in 1850. The authors calls upon the reader to become informed, and to take action. The new jim crow by soso of mimprisons november 2011 permalink. The new jim crow, a bestselling book about how mass incarceration has ravaged the black community, is banned by prisons in two states and can be difficult to obtain in others. Author michelle alexander dives into the justice system and explains how a lot of practices and beliefs from slavery times are just labeled differently now.
Mass incarceration in the age of colourblindness by michelle alexander is published by penguin. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness is fast becoming a favorite on my kindle shelf. The new jim crow by michelle alexander on blogcritics i thought that i understood racism. New press, who believed in this book before i had even written a word and waited very.
Response paper to michelle alexanders the new jim crow. The new jim crow is a highly impactful book that will spark a discussion and will question yourself what kind of justice system we are living in. The new jim crow by michelle alexander reading guidebook. One need only attend any number of legal conferences in the past year or so, or. The new jim crow introduction and chapter 1 summary and. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts. The new jim crow discredited, advocates demand revision radical scholars and social justice activists say the popular discourse of the new jim crow promotes a false understanding of mass incarceration in the united states and serves to reinforce the status quo by quietly separating mass incarceration from its most defining and central features.