1. As I understand, when Gilmore references “whiteness”, she is not only speaking of skin color, but the concept of maintaining social hierarchies historically. In racial capitalism, racism isn’t a side effect; it is a part of the system. An economic system that needs inequality to function will continue to benefit from further inequality.
  2. The prison system creates “criminals” because the true goal is to control people, not rehabilitate. If we look at the bigger picture, the prison system is a part of a web of social forces that shape who is likely to get arrested, convicted, and incarcerated. For instance, underfunded schools in marginalized communities can push students towards the criminal justice system rather than support them. Aggressive policing tactics lead to higher arrest rates, even if its minor infractions. Once a person has a criminal record, securing housing or employment becomes significantly more difficult, which increases the likelihood of reoffending. These are examples of feedback loops, not isolated events. The prison system is a system of generating profits and control in the long run, recycling people back in benefits its function.
  3. When Gilmore talks about “liberation struggle” she is talking about a long-term collective effort to build a better world for ourselves. It is to be able to criticize our current social institutions and understand that they are not built on the right intentions. We as a people need to take care of each other, and punishment and ostracization have time and time again proven themselves to be ineffective.

Leave a Reply