- 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?
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?
3. Describe how your understand what Prof. Gilmore – in the last part of her video – calls “liberation struggle”?
1. Ruth Wilson Gilmore’s statement about capitalism ceasing to be racial capitalism when “all the white people disappear from the story” highlights the deep entanglement of “whiteness” with systemic racism. “Whiteness” in this context refers to the social, economic, and political advantages that white people have historically enjoyed and continue to enjoy. These advantages are often maintained through systemic racism, which perpetuates inequality and discrimination against non-white individuals. The connection between “whiteness” and racism lies in the way societal structures and institutions are designed to uphold and benefit from these racial hierarchies. Addressing and dismantling these structures aims to create a more equitable society where race no longer determines one’s opportunities and outcomes.
2. Gilmore argues that the criminal justice and prison system perpetuates the category of “criminal person” by creating conditions that lead to recidivism and marginalization. This happens through several mechanisms: labeling and stigmatization, lack of rehabilitation, and economic disadvantage. Once individuals are labeled criminals, they face significant social and financial barriers, making it difficult to reintegrate into society. Many prison systems focus on punishment rather than rehabilitation, failing to provide the necessary support and resources for individuals to rebuild their lives. Additionally, formerly incarcerated individuals often struggle to find employment and housing, leading to a cycle of poverty and criminal behavior. I agree with Gilmore’s view to a large extent. The prison system, as it currently operates, often fails to address the root causes of criminal behavior and instead aggravates the challenges faced by those who have been incarcerated.
3. In the last part of her video, Prof. Gilmore refers to the “liberation struggle” as the collective efforts to dismantle oppressive systems and achieve social justice. This struggle involves challenging and transforming the structures that perpetuate inequality, such as racial capitalism, the criminal justice system, and other forms of systemic oppression. The liberation struggle is about creating a society where all individuals have equal opportunities and are free from discrimination and exploitation. It requires solidarity, activism, and a commitment to justice and equity.
The phrase by Ruth Gilmore suggesting that capitalism will cease being racial capitalism when “all the white people disappear from the story” points to a critical consideration of the relationship between whiteness and systemic racism. This connection is deeply entrenched in historical, economic, and social frameworks that interlink the notions of race and capital.
Whiteness, as a social construct, has often been associated with power, privilege, and status. Within the context of racial capitalism, the term refers to the privileging of white people and the systemic exclusion and exploitation of non-white populations. Historically, European colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade have exemplified how economic systems were built upon racial hierarchies that privileged whiteness while subjugating people of color. This entrenched racial differentiation allowed for capital accumulation by white elites at the expense of non-white labor and resources (Robinson, 1983).
2Ruth Wilson Gilmore, a prominent scholar and activist, argues that the criminal justice and prison system has an intrinsic role in perpetuating and creating new “criminals.” She posits that it is not just the actions of individuals that lead to criminal behavior but rather the structural and systemic dynamics that cultivate a perpetual cycle of criminalization. One of Gilmore’s central arguments is that the label of “criminal” becomes self-fulfilling due to socio-economic and racial inequalities entrenched in the legal system. Once individuals are incarcerated, the stigmatization and marginalization they face make reintegration into society immensely challenging, leading to recidivism.
Gilmore highlights that the prison system does not adequately address the root causes of criminal behavior, such as poverty, lack of education, and limited job opportunities. Instead, it operates more as a mechanism of social control, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. The experience of incarceration often leaves individuals with limited avenues for legal income and social rehabilitation, nudging them back towards illegal activities out of necessity.
Furthermore, the prison system is often profit-driven, with private prisons benefiting economically from high incarceration rates. This creates an incentive to maintain or increase the prison population, rather than focusing on rehabilitation or societal reintegration of former inmates. Consequently, the system inadvertently manufactures “criminals” by maintaining environments that endorse criminal behavior and hinder personal development.
I agree with Gilmore’s view to a large extent. The systemic issues within the criminal justice system, such as racial bias, economic disenfranchisement, and inadequate rehabilitation programs, indeed contribute to the cyclical nature of criminality. Reforming these aspects could reduce recidivism and facilitate better integration of former inmates into society, ultimately reducing the perpetuation of the “criminal” label.
3 Professor Gilmore articulates the concept of “liberation struggle” as a continuous and dynamic process aimed at achieving justice, equality, and freedom for marginalized communities. She emphasizes that liberation struggle is not merely about resisting oppression, but also about constructing better systems and environments in which all individuals can thrive. This involves dismantling existing structures of power that perpetuate inequality, creating inclusive policies that recognize the diversity and dignity of all individuals, and fostering collective action to sustain social and political change.
Professor Gilmore also highlights the importance of solidarity across different movements and communities in the liberation struggle. She suggests that collaboration and mutual support are essential for addressing interconnected issues such as racism, economic disparity, and political disenfranchisement. Liberation struggle, according to her, is rooted in the recognition that these issues are interconnected and require holistic approaches to achieve systemic transformation.