1. M. Alexander claims that the main explanation of why so many people are sent to jail in the U.S. today is deeply wrong. Explain her argument by referring to the various examples she mentions to backup her point. (see p. 1-2)
Michelle Alexander, Author of “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness”, suggest that Jim Crow and mass incarceration may have different methods of punishment, but they both still target Black communities. Alexander contends that the system perpetuates racial inequality and oppression, regardless of the specific mechanisms of punishment. Alexander states, “The racial dimension of mass incarceration is its most striking feature. No other country in the world imprisons so many of its racial or ethnic minorities. The US imprisons a larger number of black population than South Africa”. She argues that in the U.S, Black people are consistently racially profiled, oppressed, and in result, subject to systemic discrimination.
2. Why is it that racial disparities in the rates of incarceration “cannot be explained by rates of drug crimes”?
As Michelle Alexander states, “These stark racial disparities cannot be explained by rates of drug crime. Studies show that people of all colors use and sell drugs at remarkably significant rates”.
3. How do you understand the phrase: “the American penal system has emerged as a system of social control unparalleled in world history.”?
Society has been evolving for years. It comprises diverse groups of people who live together and share common cultures. With the emergence of the American society after the industrial revolution and World War II, many countries started following its penal system, which is considered unparalleled in world history. One of the reasons for this is that many countries are still underdeveloped, poor, and disorganized. They lack basic necessities such as food and shelter. Through its veto power, America is maintaining its supremacy and forcing many countries to follow its system or remain underdeveloped. As a result, many countries are following the American penal system without any parallel.
