1.I think Ruth Gilmore means that racism and capitalism have been connected in America for a long time. White people were given more power and better chances, while Black people and other minorities were treated unfairly and paid less. Because of this some groups stayed richer while others struggled more. I think she is saying racism is built into the system and helped capitalism grow.

2.Gilmore says the prison system can create more criminals because people who leave prison have a hard time finding jobs, a place to live, and support. Many people judge them because of their criminal record, so it becomes harder for them to live a normal life. This can push some people back into crime. I agree with her because the system often punishes people but does not help them improve their lives after prison.

3.My understanding of liberation struggle is people working together to fight unfair treatment like racism, poverty, and unfair laws. Gilmore believes people should help make society more equal and fair for everyone. I think she wants communities to come together and create positive change so everyone can have better opportunities in life.

1. I feel that Ruth Wilson Gilmore is saying that “whiteness” and racism are connected because whiteness isn’t just about race, it’s also about power that has been built into society over time. She’s pointing out that racism isn’t only individual attitudes, but more about systems like capitalism and institutions that have historically given white people more advantages and opportunities. So it’s also about how society is structured, not just how people might PERSONALLY think.
2. Gilmore’s point is that the prison system actually helps create “criminals” by deciding what gets labeled as a crime and then targeting certain communities more than others. Things like poverty, lack of resources, and heavy policing in certain neighborhoods lead to more arrests, even if the problems are more structural than personal. Then once someone has a record, it follows them and makes it harder to get a job or housing, which can keep them stuck in the system. I kind of agree with her because it shows how the system can shape who gets labeled as a “criminal,” not just individual actions.
3. When Gilmore talks about “liberation struggle,” she means people coming together to change the bigger systems that create inequality in the first place. It’s not just about fixing individual situations after they happen, but actually challenging things like prisons, policing, and economic systems that produce those inequalities. Basically, it’s about collective action to create real structural change.

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.

1.I think Gilmore means that racism is not only about individual people being racist. It is also connected to the social system and history. “Whiteness” has often been connected with more power, safety, and opportunities, while people of color may face more discrimination or fewer chances. In racial capitalism, race can affect who gets resources and who gets treated unfairly. So I think the connection between “whiteness” and racism is that society has historically benefited white people more.

2.According to Gilmore, the prison system can create new “criminals” because once someone goes to prison, it becomes much harder for them to live a normal life again. Many people cannot easily find jobs, housing, or education after leaving prison. Some communities are also watched by police more heavily, so people there have a higher chance of getting arrested again. Instead of fixing the real problems, the system can keep people stuck in the same cycle. I mostly agree with her because punishment alone usually does not solve issues like poverty or lack of opportunity.

3.My understanding of “liberation struggle” is that it means trying to change unfair systems and create a more equal society. I think Gilmore believes that real justice is not only about putting people in prison. It is also about improving education, healthcare, jobs, and community support so people can have better lives and more opportunities. In her view, society should focus more on helping people instead of only punishing them.

1. According to Gilmore, “whiteness is connected to racism because of its link to power, privilege, and economic systems that benefited some groups over others. Racism goes beyond personal prejudices since it also includes systems that favors the social, political, and economic privileges of white people. I think she means that racial capitalism depends on these unequal systems staying in place.
2. According to Gilmore, the prison system can produce even more “criminals” because those who go to prison come out with fewer opportunities, less support, a criminal record that make it difficult to get jobs, housing, and even an education. This can make people go back into situation where they are most likely to get arrested again. I believe her argument makes sense because the system punishes people without helping them return back to society successfully.
3. “Liberation struggle” is people getting together to challenge injustice and make a more equal society. Gilmore talks about communities that are built on care, equality, and support rather than punishment and exploitation. It’s not enough to change laws; what needs to be done is changing the system itself.

1. Ruth Wilson Gilmore argues racial capitalism will stop when white people disappear from the story because of the power struggle that other skin toned individuals have gone through. She describes this as a sort of system of power that allow people with white skin to have more “power” and opportunities. Historically “whiteness” has been used as a justification for inequality, exploitation and uneven access to money, jobs, and real chances. With her perspective if all white people were to disappear the racial capitalism that has been created would eventually fall apart.
   
2. According to Gilmore the prison system can create more criminals as once a person has served time in prison and is released, it becomes extremely hard for them to find jobs that can help and support them to survive in the economy. As the person’s criminal record stays forever, different companies reviewing applications will not hire people with criminal activity in their backgrounds as it becomes “harder” to trust them. This creates harsh conditions for people and society shuts them out as they are forced to suffer despite them completing their punishment. For this reason many people, out of desperation to live a comfortable life will have the tendency to commit more crimes, in return creating more criminals which punishment alone would not be able to stop them. I think her point fits, because a lot of people leave prison with fewer opportunities than they had before, and that can make it really tough to rebuild.
   
3. From what I understood of “liberation struggle” is people working together in unity to create a just and equitable society for everyone. Paving a way for more equal opportunities. Gilmore seems to suggest that liberation is not only about changing laws, but also about shifting systems that generate inequality, poverty ,and discrimination. In the video, she points out that communities can create change through collective action, education, and mutual backing, solidarity.
   

1. After watching the video, I understood that Gilmore connects racism with “whiteness” because for a long time white people had more advantages and opportunities in society. I do not think she means every white person is racist, but more that the system itself was built in a way that benefited some groups more than others. Even today, people can still experience inequality in areas like housing, jobs, schools, or the justice system. For example, some neighborhoods have much better schools and safer conditions simply because of the history and money in those communities. To me, Gilmore is saying that racism is not only about individual behavior, but also about systems that continue inequality over time.

2. One part of the video that really stayed in my mind was when Gilmore talked about prisons creating more “criminals.” I can understand what she means because after someone leaves prison, life can become much harder for them. Many employers do not want to hire people with criminal records, landlords may refuse to rent apartments to them, and some people are judged forever because of their past mistakes. I think when society closes so many doors, it becomes difficult for a person to fully change their life. For example, if someone cannot find a job or stable place to live, they may become desperate and fall into bad situations again. I agree that punishment alone does not always solve problems if people do not also receive support and opportunities to rebuild their future.

3. The way I understood “liberation struggle” is people working together to make society more fair and equal. Gilmore seems to believe that real change happens when communities support each other and speak up against injustice instead of just accepting things the way they are. To me, liberation struggle is not only about protests or politics, but also about helping people have better opportunities in life. For example, better education, healthcare, jobs, and support systems can help communities become stronger and safer. I think her message is that society improves when people care about each other and try to fix the deeper causes of inequality instead of only blaming individuals.

1. Ruth Wilson Gilmore connects “whiteness” to racism by explaining that society has historically given more power, privilege, and opportunities to people considered white. Racism is connected to maintaining those advantages and unequal systems.
2. Gilmore argues that the prison system can create more “criminals” because people who go to prison often struggle afterward with jobs, housing, and education. This can push them back into crime and keep the label of “criminal” attached to them. I agree that the system can make it harder for people to successfully return to society.
3. By “liberation struggle,” Gilmore means people working together to create a more equal and fair society. She believes change happens through collective action, community support, and challenging systems that create inequality and injustice.