1. Ruth Gilmore says that capitalism will stop being racial capitalism, when all the white people disappear from the story. What’s the connection between “whiteness” and racism, do you think?
   
   The connection between “whiteness” and racism is deeply rooted in historical and societal structures. Whiteness has been constructed as the norm or standard against which other races are judged, leading to the marginalization and oppression of non-white individuals and communities. Racism operates within systems of power, where those identified as white often hold privilege and dominance, perpetuating racial inequalities and injustices. Therefore, the link between whiteness and racism lies in the reinforcement of social hierarchies and systemic advantages afforded to those perceived as white.
   
   

2.Gilmore makes the point that criminals are actually being created by the criminal justice and prison system (she says “the category of ‘criminal person’ can be perpetuated”). According to Gilmore, how does that happen, how does the prison system create new “criminals“? Do you agree with her view?

Gilmore argues that the criminal justice and prison system contribute to the creation of criminals by perpetuating the category of the “criminal person.” This occurs through various means such as over-policing of marginalized communities, harsh sentencing practices, and the stigmatization of individuals who have interacted with the criminal justice system. Additionally, the lack of resources and support for individuals upon reentry into society further increases the likelihood of re-offending. I agree with Gilmore’s perspective as it underscores the systemic nature of criminalization and the role of institutions in perpetuating cycles of incarceration.

3. Describe how your understand what Prof. Gilmore – in the last part of her video – calls “liberation struggle”?

Prof. Gilmore refers to “liberation struggle” as a collective effort aimed at challenging and dismantling oppressive systems of power to create a more just and equitable society. This struggle involves various forms of activism, organizing, and resistance undertaken by marginalized communities and their allies. It seeks to challenge the status quo, advocate for structural change, and center the voices and experiences of those most impacted by oppression. Ultimately, the liberation struggle aims to transform social, political, and economic systems to ensure the liberation and empowerment of all individuals and communities.

1.The connection between “whiteness” and racism lies in the historical and social systems that have privileged white individuals while marginalizing people of color. Whiteness has been associated with power, privilege, and superiority, leading to systemic racism that disadvantages non white individuals. This has resulted in inequalities in areas such as education, employment, and criminal justice, perpetuating racial disparities in society.

2. Ruth Gilmore argues that the criminal justice and prison system contribute to the creation of new “criminals” through various mechanisms such as harsh sentencing policies, biased policing practices, and limited access to resources for rehabilitation and reintegration. By disproportionately targeting marginalized communities, especially people of color, the system perpetuates cycles of incarceration and criminalization. l agree with Gilmore’s view as research has shown that structural inequalities within the criminal justice system contribute to the over representation of certain groups in the prison population.

3. Prof. Gilmore refers to the collective efforts and movements aimed at dismantling oppressive systems and structures to achieve social, political, ana economic justice. This involves challenging power dynamics, advocating for equality and human rights, and working towards a more inclusive and equitable society. Liberation struggle encompasses various forms of activism, such as grassroots organizing, advocacy campaigns, and protests, all geared towards challenging and transforming oppressive systems for the betterment of all individuals.

1. The connection between whiteness and racism in the point Ruth Gilmore was trying to make was that capitalism will stop when the system stops centering everything around white people. There is no priority for the needs of any person of color if white people get continuous privilege and used as a tool of power. The statement she makes is to emphasize equality within the system. 
2. According to Gilmore, the prison system is the one creating criminals, as she believes that the ‘criminal person’ can be perpetuated. I believe this to be true as well. When the police over do their job when it comes to a certain group of people of certain communities that do not align with, essentially being white and middle to upper class. The system targets anybody in poverty, lack of access to education, and so on. Black people especially are targeted with harsh sentences which only lead to disproportionate arrest rates. It is a continuous cycle that makes no efforts to improve.
3. My understanding of Gilmore’s last portion of the video “Liberation struggle”, was her emphasis to all come together and fight the oppression. If we stand in unity, there is change bound to happen. By collectively coming together and challenging these practices, we are already on track to make the world a better and more fair place. 

1. Whiteness and racism are related because many societies have always embraced whiteness as a symbol of privilege, power, and superiority. Racial hierarchies where people of color are treated poorly and white people are at the top have resulted from this. Whiteness has been a major factor in the formation of racial disparities in income and opportunity within capitalism, as well as the structure of economic systems. The term “racial capitalism” describes the relationship between capitalism and racism, because oppression and abuse of people of color is necessary for capitalist economies to function. Within capitalist systems, racism will endure as long as whiteness is maintained as the norm and given advantages. According to Gilmore, real freedom from racial capitalism can only come about through the overthrow of the systems and power relationships that support whiteness and feed racism. A fundamental change in society’s norms and beliefs would be necessary to achieve a more equal and just system for all people, regardless of race.
2. The jail system makes an ongoing flow of people who meet the criteria to be classified as criminals, which leads to creating the concept of the “criminal person”. This may be done by lengthening the sentences of those already incarcerated or by expanding the number of people classified as criminals. Also, the system increases the number of actions that are deemed illegal, which results in more people being locked up by the law. I do agree with Gilmore’s view because it’s a lot of people who served 15+ years for having only a gram of weed on them, so now when those people come out they already have less opportunity to get a job or home because of their record.
3. Based on Gilmore’s last part in the video, how I understand “liberation struggle” is in these struggles, the power structures that are in place are challenged and social change is effected through organizing, researching, and discussing a variety of topics, such as racism, colonialism, and citizenship. People join together to establish and rebuild unity in the hope of living together in more just and equitable ways, and this is how “liberation struggle” is portrayed as a type of radical dependence and solidarity.

1. The connection between “whiteness” and racism is that people think that race means black people and non race is white people. Even though this is true i don’t think it will end racial capitalism completely.
2. The prison system creates new “criminals” by using those who are eligible to be criminalized to keep coming to the prison and make their sentence longer and their crimes have to get bigger and keep them in their communities.
3. I understand that “liberal struggle” is the needs and the struggles of people that are based off of where they live. Even though they were promised a better home they felt more at home in their homes within their community and try to organize ways to maintain there houses.

1. Ruth Gilmore says that capitalism will stop being racial capitalism when all the white people disappear from the story. What’s the connection between “whiteness” and racism, do you think?

Whiteness in this context is related to Western Europeans that founded the concept of capitalism as we know it today.  Because they created the system, they placed themselves into a position of power above not just Africans, but also other Europeans that they deemed lesser than them.  Thus, the power imbalance of whiteness is deeply rooted within capitalism, and so long as that continues, capitalism with continue to be racial capitalism.  To this day, capitalism preys on those who are not white, or are not the correct type of white, because the system, will inherently continue to raise those who are white over those who are not until either white people disappear from capitalism, or capitalism is dismantled and the racism is removed.

2. Gilmore makes the point that criminals are actually being created by the criminal justice and prison system (she says “the category of ‘criminal person’ can be perpetuated”). According to Gilmore, how does that happen, how does the prison system create new “criminals“? Do you agree with her view?

According to Gilmore, the basis started with the creation of more and more prisons over other forms of infrastructure that may have been more beneficial to areas, such as museums, factories, parks, or schools.  In order to keep enough “workers” in these prisons, there needs to be a steady stream of criminals, which can be created through longer sentences, more criminals being sentenced, and more behaviors being listed as criminal in nature.  Essentially, the prison industrial complex relies on there being enough criminals to maintain it, therefore, societies such as the United States with these prison systems, need to create and continue a category of criminals.  I agree with her view because the prison industrial complex in America functions more like a low-cost labor factory system and in order to maintain that, a working class of criminals needs to be maintained.  When also accounting for systemic racism which leads to people of color being more likely to be targeted and more likely to be given longer sentences, that seems to line up with what Gilmore is saying.

3. Describe how you understand what Prof. Gilmore – in the last part of her video – calls “liberation struggle”?

Liberation struggle according to Professor Gilmore is a place-based struggle that is specific to the needs and struggles of the people where they are.  As far as I understand it, liberation struggle is a form of solidarity with the others in your local community where the goal is to come together in order to try to determine how to overcome the struggles that may be keeping your community down.  These struggles can include racism, inequality, and a lack of fairness for certain members of that community.  The goal is to create places where the community can share education and conversation with one another in order to find ways to overcome these struggles together.

1. I think that the connection between whiteness and racism rely on the idea that whites don’t limit racism to race. She declares how capitalism is a way of racism as well. Whiteness uses capitalism to maintain their statues by having the working class under their control. 

2.I totally agree with Gilmore’s argument. I believe that the system is built in a way so a particular group of the society are the target to be seen as “criminals” by the justice system in our nation. Gilmore explained how in the state of California, the construction of prisons started 23 years ago. She pointed out the interrogation of why they decided to build prisons when they could have constructed houses, parks or schools. It is a way to maintain a particular group controlled by the mass incarceration policy that exists in our county. Now, if we think about the group that is the victim from the mass incarceration, the answer is very easy and clear: black and brown folks. It’s not a secret that prisons are overcrowded of black inmates that are behind bars under the tag of “criminal”. Most of the time serving an unjust sentencing. However, that is right there in how the category of criminals is perpetuated. 

3. I believe that what she calls the “liberation struggle” is the fight that exists for minority communities that are often pressed by the upper class to leave their communities. She explained the case of the members of the community of Almora. They were asked to leave their community with the promise that they were going to be replaced in another community. However, they stick together as a group to fight for what they called “their home” To me, a way to not fail under the upper class desires of taking their community down to build another complex.

1. Ruth Gilmore says that capitalism will stop being racial capitalism when all the white people disappear from the story. What’s the connection between “whiteness” and racism, do you think?  
   The connection between “whiteness” and racism is capitalism. Capitalism depends on racial practices and hierarchy. If we undo racism, we, in turn, will undo capitalism because capitalism requires inequality.
2. Gilmore makes the point that criminals are being created by the criminal justice and prison system (she says, “the category of ‘criminal person’ can be perpetuated”). According to Gilmore, how does that happen? How does the prison system create new “criminals “? Do you agree with her view?  
   Prison systems create new “criminals” by expanding criminalization and incarceration. For the prison system to function, there must be a steady stream of criminals eligible to be categorized as a “criminal person.” So, the people in charge make sentences longer, the list of crimes grows, and people who have been caught up in the system who reenter society and are part of a community perpetuate the category of criminal.
3.  Describe how you understand what Prof. Gilmore – in the last part of her video – calls “liberation struggle”?  
   I understand “liberation struggle” to mean the struggles and needs of people in a specific place. Every liberation struggle is different in size and scale, but it is all based on neighborhoods, cities, and rural communities experiencing disadvantages.