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 back up her point. (see p. 1-2)

To back up M. Alexander’s point, she states “Almost overnight, the media was saturated with images of black “crack whores,” “crack dealers,” and “crack babies”—images that seemed to confirm the worst negative racial stereotypes about impoverished inner-city residents.” (Alexander 5). This indicates how the colored people were being stereotyped as crack whores, crack dealers and etc. This brings back the idea that M. Alexander was trying to explain when she said that is the reason why many people are being sent to jail in the U.S. today. Also, she stated it is wrong to reason they are going to jail because of how stereotyped they are being labeled. I strongly agree with M. Alexander because someone who is of colored skin can be making the same wrongdoing, and they will not be punished as the colored skin will be punished.

2. Why is it that racial disparities in the rates of incarceration “cannot be explained by rates of drug crimes”?

 The racial disparities in the rates of incarceration “cannot be explained by rates of drug crimes” because of the reason that studies show that people of all colors use and sell illegal drugs at remarkably similar rates. The reading states “ If there are significant differences in the surveys to be found, they frequently suggest that whites, particularly white youth, are more likely to engage in drug crime than people of color.” (pg. 7). This explains why racial disparities in the rates of incarceration can not be explained by rates of drug crimes. 

3. How do you understand the phrase: “the American penal system has emerged as a system of social control unparalleled in world history.”?

I understand the phrase “the American penal system has emerged as a system of social control unparalleled in world history.” The author is explaining how the American penal system is extremely different from other countries in the world. For example, the author believes that in America, the system is built to hold the people who were wronged for life. To elaborate, the people who do drug crimes and etc, are going to be prohibited from certain opportunities that they can be part of in America. The American penal system does its best to punish the people who do wrong.