1. Ruth Gilmore suggests that “whiteness” and racism are closely tied because racial capitalism is built on systems that benefit white people at the expense of others. “Whiteness” isn’t just about skin color but rather it’s a social and economic position that gives certain groups privilege and power. Racism is used to maintain this imbalance by treating certain people as inferior or less valuable.
2. According to Gilmore, the prison system creates criminals by labeling people as “criminal” and trapping them in cycles of poverty, surveillance, and incarceration. Once someone is imprisoned, they face stigma, difficulty finding jobs, and fewer opportunities for success. This often forces them into situations where they might break the law again. I agree with her to some extent because the system often punishes people instead of helping them change their lives, making it harder for them to escape that label.
3. By “liberation struggle,” Gilmore refers to the fight to free people from systems of oppression, such as racism, economic injustice, and mass incarceration. She emphasizes that liberation is not just about ending prisons but also about creating fairer systems where everyone has access to education, jobs, healthcare, and opportunities to thrive. For Gilmore, true liberation means building a society where everyone is valued equally, and people aren’t judged or punished unfairly based on their race or class.

1. Collective action problems arise whenever individuals or groups are in a situation where it would be better for all if everybody involved worked together, yet there is a disincentive to participate. People may not act because they believe their contribution will have little impact or the personal cost, in terms of time or money for example, outweighs the perceived benefit. The result is often free riding, whereby some individuals enjoy the benefits of the collective effort without contributing. These problems are common when the benefits of action accrue to everyone, making it easier to avoid participation in large groups where individual contributions seem less important. Other factors that make collective action hard include lack of incentives, coordination issues, and diverse interests. In regard to issues like climate change, people may feel that their action cannot make a difference and hence fail to act. Similarly, in the case of union membership, laborers may receive higher wages and better conditions without actually joining the union or paying dues. The overcoming of such problems often necessitates the provision of incentives, such as material or solidarity benefits, organization of smaller, more cohesive groups, or mandating participation, as seen in professional associations.
2. The free rider problem is when people benefit from some service or resource without paying for, or putting effort into, the cost of providing that service. This occurs because people recognize their contribution is unlikely to make a difference, and thus decide not to participate or contribute, but instead, depend on others to take action. For instance, many NPR listeners appreciate the programs but do not contribute when NPR holds its fundraising campaigns.Because the fundraising campaign will succeed whether any one person contributes or not, many listeners are free riders who benefit from the service without paying for it. 
3. Several strategies can be utilized to overcome collective action problems by encouraging participation and reducing the problem of free riding. One way is to offer inducements, which may come in any of several forms: material inducements, such as discounts or services provided by organizations like AARP; solidary inducements, or the social rewards of associating with people through an organization like the NAACP; and purposive inducements, or the satisfaction connected with working for a cause, such as the defense of civil liberties through the ACLU. Smaller, well-organized groups are more apt to successfully overcome the logic of collective action problems because consensus is easier to achieve, participation is easier to monitor, and free riders are more easily identified. Groups that have access to external support or financial resources can use these assets to mobilize members, offer rewards, or hire professionals like lobbyists. In some instances, coercion and mandates, such as requiring membership in professional associations or unions, result in a decrease in free riding due to the mandatory involvement. Lastly, disturbance theory postulates that external events or crises can galvanize collective action, with groups like environmental organizations beginning their mobilization after the publication of Silent Spring in 1962. Through applying these strategies, groups can work in an effective manner to overcome problems stemming from collective action and increase participation.
4. According to disturbance theory, the origin and mobilization of groups arise due to dramatic events or disturbances within a political, social, or economic environment. Where an event happens-a crisis or significant social issue-the affected or concerned parties begin to take action through either the creation of new interest groups or the mobilization of current ones. For example, in 1962, the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, exposing toxic pesticides such as DDT, made a ripple. It brought environmental issues to the nation’s attention and spurred new groups, such as Greenpeace and American Rivers, into action. Increased activism fueled policy changes, such as a ban on DDT.

1. What I’ve got from Ruth Gilmores comment related to “whiteness” and racism was the issue of superiority that the white race hold currently, as well as historically. The systematic racism that colored people face encourages the incredible advantages that white people feel entitled to, they maintain a high level of standards within this nation by contributing to other white people, and not taking into account the desires of people of other races. Capitalism requires inequality because it relies on competition which causes wealth and power to drive their investments, as well as economic growth. Racism intertwines with capitalism by creating and maintaining a system of exploration which helps uphold the power of the ruling class.
2. Criminals are excluded from the chance of restoration, criminals have a record of unlawful acts that discourage them, and make it difficult for them to succeed financially, politically, and professionally. The wide variety of jails/ prisons is basically the state and law enforcement creating a place for criminals to attend based of their implications. Gilmore is correct in her statement that criminals can in fact perpetrate crimes, criminals who take part in illegal activities are indeed capable of carrying out and committing other violent acts.
3. Liberation struggles is about having a community who is willing to fight and achieve a sense of freedom from oppressive racism and justice for inequality. Liberation involves the determination to desire justice.

1. The historical and structural ways in which whiteness has been shaped as a social and political identity associated with privilege, power, and domination are what links “whiteness” to racism. Non-white identities are positioned as “other” and often seen as inferior in many civilizations where whiteness is viewed as the norm or standard. Systems of racial hierarchy that favor white people at the expense of other races are supported by this system.

In this view, racism is a structural phenomena that sustains injustices on social, economic, and political levels rather than merely being prejudice or individual discrimination. In racial capitalism, when economic institutions take advantage of racialized labor and uphold hierarchies based on racial difference, whiteness serves as an organizing principle. In her assertion that “white people disappear from the story,” Ruth Gilmore highlights the necessity of destroying the systems and beliefs that uphold whiteness as a source of privilege and dominance rather than eradicating specific people. Addressing the systemic ways racism and race are deeply rooted in capitalism itself is necessary to make this change.

2. According to Ruth Gilmore, the “criminal person” category is maintained by the prison system through structural and systemic mechanisms that target specific groups, most often racist and marginalized communities. She draws attention to the ways that discriminatory laws, economic disparity, and limited access to resources push people into the criminal justice system, perpetuating a cycle in which people are punished for circumstances rather than for their own actions. For instance, policies that criminalize poverty-related activities, enforce punitive sentencing guidelines, and overpolicing poor areas increase the likelihood that people will enter and remain in the prison system.

Gilmore also challenges the idea that prison time is a solution to the problems of society. Rather, they serve as storage facilities for those who are considered “unproductive” or “undesirable” by racial capitalism, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion. After being classified as “criminals,” people experience stigma, fewer job options, and social marginalization, all of which raise the risk of recidivism and support the system.

I agree with Gilmore’s viewpoint. Her criticism is supported by evidence of institutional bias, including racial differences in prison rates and the connection between poverty and criminalization. Instead of tackling underlying issues like inequality, illiteracy, and a lack of mental health facilities, the emphasis on punishment raises the possibility that the system encourages the emergence of “criminals” rather than lowering crime. Rethinking or reforming this strategy might move the emphasis to systemic inequalities prevention, and rehabilitation.

3. In the last part of her video, Professor Ruth Gilmore defines liberation struggle as a collective effort to overthrow oppressive structures, especially those associated with racial capitalism, and to establish a society that is more just and equal. Gilmore contends that the goal of the liberation fight is to change the entire social structure that upholds marginalization, criminalization, and inequality rather than only opposing particular laws or practices. Addressing the underlying causes of harm—such as racial discrimination, economic exploitation, and the dehumanization of particular groups—and imagining substitutes that provide genuine freedom and dignity for everyone are difficult tasks.

She highlights that liberation entails creating new systems that foster compassion, unity, and the well-being of all people, not merely dismantling repressive ones. Thus, the fight for justice, equality, and the establishment of structures that uphold the humanity of all people—especially those who have been historically marginalized or oppressed—are closely linked to the liberation movement. This struggle is ongoing, as it requires s persistent opposition to power structures and an active reimagining of social, economic, and political relationships. Gilmore’s perspective on the liberation fight is consistent with the notion that real liberation is an active, transforming process that necessitates structural change, social effort, and a strong commitment to equality and human dignity rather than only being a response to oppression.

Ruth Gilmore makes the claim that the connection that is made between whiteness and racism is based upon capitalism not having the ability to stop being racial capitalism even if all white people were removed from the equation. The main issue that causes racial capitalism is the comparison that is made from capitalism and the racial hierarchy. The term whiteness refers to the advantages in society that white people have and upholding inequalities between race groups. The concept of whiteness is rooted in how distinctions in race are used to display inequality and because of that, implies how racism isn’t made about specific groups of people. Instead, it relies on a systemic structure that depends on that division of race. 

Gilmore’s claim on the prison system creating criminals explains how instead of focusing on the rehabilitation of prison inmates, the system rather creates a category of criminals that keep returning to jail. The creation of this category of criminals are created in a cycle that have individuals being categorized and leading to longer sentences. Because of portrayals of bad behavior, other individuals can be perceived as “criminal” regardless of the severity of the crime. From the labeling made by the prison system, it causes individuals to be punished and assists in more people being incarcerated. I would personally say I agree with Gilmore’s claim mainly because of the fact that prison is supposed to be for rehabilitation, but the use of labels causes individuals to be defined by that criminal status. 

Gilmore explains “liberation struggle” as a collective effort that makes a change towards social and political change. She affirms that liberation struggles are made up of specific issues that individuals have and the needs of those individuals in particular locations. To understand these struggles means to understand the context from racism, global capitalism, etc. This kind of struggle is being able to recognize the injustice that exists and fighting against it. It’s something that grows overtime that relies on other people to enact.

Ruth Gilmore talks about how capitalism, race, and the criminal justice system work together, affecting people and society. She explains that capitalism often benefits white people while hurting Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. Whiteness isn’t just about being white—it’s about having power and money. This system looks down on BIPOC lives to keep its economic advantages.

Gilmore criticizes the prison system, saying it unfairly labels people as “criminals” and makes social inequalities worse. Many people in the justice system come from poor communities and often get arrested for small issues because of unfair treatment. Being labeled a “criminal” makes it hard for them to fit back into society and improve their lives. The focus on punishment instead of helping people leads to repeat offenses, keeping them stuck in cycles of poverty and exclusion.

She believes in a movement for freedom that stands against systems that exploit people, like racial capitalism and for-profit prisons. This movement calls for changing how society works and pushing for better treatment of everyone.

Racial capitilisum

As pointed out by Martin Luther King Jr., what makes the difference between just and unjust laws. The question deals directly with the core of our module, and I will return to it in our second exam.

Just laws are those that conform to the principles of ethics, ensuring fairness in reward or punishment, while unjust laws deny dignity, violate accepted moral codes, and result in inequality.

Do you think this constitutes an important distinction? Could it make a difference in the way individuals, or society at large, goes about its life? Might it make a difference politically?

Indeed, telling from unjust laws is critical in the identification of social ills. It is important in developing a more courteous, ethical community with social inclusions which accord due respect to all.
Looking back at our discussion based on the first question, give an example of one unjust law and one just law that exist today in the United States. Explain what makes each law unjust or just based on King’s definitions. An illustration of an inequitable law is the bail system, which has a disproportionate impact on individuals belonging to lower socioeconomic strata, thereby constraining their capacity to attain release. In contrast, a fair law is represented by civil rights legislation, which promotes equality and provides protection against racial discrimination.

Juan Carlos Rodríguez

1               According to MLK, how can we tell the difference between just and unjust laws? Understanding this questions is the most important part of this module, and I will ask it again during our second exam.

*Just laws are laws that are morally correct and equal in punishment and fairness as well as dignified and unjust laws are laws that worsen dignity violates morality and creates inequality.

2               In your view, is this an important distinction (between just and unjust laws), do you think it makes a difference in the way someone (as an individual, or our society as a whole) lives their lives? Can it affect our politics?

*Absolutely it helps pinpoint problems in our society by pointing out what’s just and unjust to create a more dignified morally correct and inclusive society that treats everyone equally.

            3          Based on our discussion of Question 1, give an example each, of an unjust and just law, in the US today. Explain what makes it unjust or just (using MLK’s definition of those two types of laws).

*Bail is unjust because poor people don’t have the same opportunities as rich people to pay bail money and a just law would be the civil rights law which promotes equality and protects against racism.