1. I think what Ruth Gilmore means is that racism is deeply connected to the idea of “whiteness” as a system of power and privilege, not just skin color. In capitalism, whiteness has historically been used to separate people and justify inequality, especially economically and socially. Certain groups are treated as more valuable or more deserving of opportunities, while others are pushed into poverty, over-policing, and discrimination. So when Gilmore says capitalism will stop being racial capitalism when white people disappear from the story, I think she means that racism is built into the system itself and connected to how power and resources are distributed.

2. Gilmore also argues that the prison system helps create and continue the category of the “criminal person.” I understood this as meaning that once someone is labeled a criminal, the system makes it very hard for them to fully return to society. People who leave prison often struggle to get jobs, housing, education, or even respect from society, which can push them back into poverty and crime. She also talks about how communities that are heavily policed are constantly treated like criminal spaces, so more people get caught in the system. I do agree with her view to a certain extent because if people are denied opportunities after prison, it becomes much harder for them to rebuild their lives.

3. The way I understood Gilmore’s idea of the “liberation struggle” is that it is about more than just changing laws or prisons. It means working toward a society where people actually have dignity, opportunities, safety, healthcare, housing, and support instead of punishment and inequality. She seems to believe liberation is about addressing the root causes of injustice rather than only reacting after harm happens. To me, she is saying that real freedom comes from creating systems that help people live stable and meaningful lives instead of systems that mainly punish and control them.