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)

M.Alexanders claim was that a majority of poor people as well as minorities go to jail for small offenses, especially during times where the races were separated. But even still going on now. For example, she talks about how during the civil rights campaign in the 60’s a lot of people went to jail for crimes that if committed by someone of a different complexion, wouldn’t be considered a crime, or would not be a long sentence. For example, Martin Luther King is mentioned specifically because of his fight and leadership in the civil rights movement.

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

M.Alexanders argues that racism is evident in these incarcerations because everyone of all colors sells and uses illegal drugs, so it isn’t fair to just target minorities and not everyone.

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 this quote as telling me that the american penal system is ruled by people even bigger than just the judge, that there is a larger power out there. Some people can do illegal things(especially people in power) and get away with it and some cant, just because it is rigged from the beginning…