1-Individuals often see that Whiteness and racism possess a strong bond since Whiteness has been regarded as authority and social advantage by the general population. In the writings of Gilmore, it has been observed that racism remains embedded within the societal framework, specifically regarding financial resources, working positions, residential areas, and the legal structures. Because certain groups gain advantages from these arrangements while other populations lack many possibilities, racism persists.

2-Experts claim that the prison system produces new “criminals” through the continuous labeling of individuals even after they depart from the prison. After people exit the prison, working positions, residential areas, and educational institutions are often denied to these individuals. Since daily existence becomes more difficult for these people, a return to illegal activities or the prison system happens frequently. This perspective is supported by me because the act of punishment alone fails to assist individuals when those individuals try to reconstruct their lives.

3-Many people believe that the “liberation struggle” involves collective action to oppose biased structures so that a fair society is constructed. While the end of racism and mass incarceration is sought by Gilmore, liberation includes the development of neighborhoods with improved residential areas, educational institutions, and medical assistance. Safety and genuine possibilities for every member of the community are provided when this liberation struggle is successful.

1. Ruth Gilmore explains that racism and “whiteness” are connected because society was built in ways that gave more power and advantages to white people while hurting other groups. In the video, she says racial capitalism uses race to separate people and treat them differently. She believes racism is part of larger systems in society, not just the actions of one person being mean to another person.
2. Gilmore says the prison system can create new “criminals” because once people go to prison, they are treated like criminals even after they leave. They may not be able to get jobs, homes, or support, which makes life very hard for them. Because of this, some people end up going back to prison again. Gilmore says the system keeps the “criminal person” category going instead of helping people change their lives. I agree with her because if people are always treated badly after prison, it can be hard for them to start over.
3. I understand “liberation struggle” as people working together to make society more fair and equal. In the video, Gilmore talks about communities fighting against racism, unfair treatment, and prisons that hurt people. To me, liberation struggle means helping people and trying to build a better future where everyone is treated like a human being.

1.I believe that ‘white sexuality’ is not just about skin color, but a status that is considered normal and holds more power and privilege in society. Gilmore believes that racial capitalism utilizes racial differences to maintain economic and social inequality, thus white sexuality is often associated with power and advantage. The reason why racism can persist is that certain groups have long gained more resources and opportunities within the system, while other ethnic groups are marginalized.

2.Gilmore believes that criminal justice and prison systems are not just about punishing crime, but may constantly create new ‘criminals’. When people enter prison, they may find it more difficult to reintegrate into society due to a lack of education, job opportunities, and social support. In addition, individuals with a criminal record are prone to discrimination, leading to increased risks of unemployment, poverty, and recidivism. Therefore, the identity of “criminal” will be continuously strengthened by the system.
I partially agree with her view, because if society does not provide enough help and opportunities for change, prisons may really make it harder for some people to break free from the cycle of crime.

3.I think Gilmore’s “liberation struggle” refers to people working together to change unfair systems and pursue true equality and freedom. This is not just about opposing racial discrimination or prison systems, but about building a society that values human rights, education, healthcare, and social support more. She emphasized the importance of community cooperation and collective action, hoping to reduce oppression and inequality by changing the system.

1. Ruth Gilmore is saying that racism and “whiteness” are connected because society has been set up in ways that usually give white people more power and advantages. She believes racism is built into the system, especially in money, jobs, and politics, so it can keep inequality going.
2. Gilmore believes the prison system can create more “criminals” because once people go to prison, it becomes much harder for them to get jobs, housing, or other opportunities after they get out. Because of this some people end up stuck in the same cycle and may return to crime. I agrees with her because many people are judged by their criminal record even after serving their time.
3. By “liberation struggle” Gilmore means that people need to work together to fight unfair systems like racism, poverty and inequality. She believes change happened when communities organize, protest, and support each other to make society more fair for everyone.

1.I think Gilmore is saying that “whiteness” is not only about skin color but also about the power and privilege in the society. White people has historically received a lot of economic. political and social advantages while many racial groups were excluded or exploited. And this led to racism becoming deeply connected to the way capitalism evolved. Gilmore argues that racial inequality was built into systems like labor, policing and wealth distribution. Therefore racial capitalism continues because certain groups still benefit from the system than others. Racism helps maintain those unequal advantages.

2. Gilmore believes that the prison system can create more criminals because it punishes people instead of helping them to rebuild their lives. Once someone has a criminal record it becomes hard for them to find jobs, house, stability or education. Therefore this can lead them back to poverty and sometimes crimes. She also argues that society labels people as “criminals” even after they have served their sentences. I somewhat agree with her perspective because prison often tend to punish rather than rehabilitate. While prison is certainly needed for dangerous crimes I also believe system should give convicted people better opportunities and return to society giving them a second chance to prove themselves as better.

3. From the video I was able to understand “liberation struggle” as fight to develop a more equal and just society. For Gilmore the idea of liberation is tied to collective action, activism and people working together against of system of racism and inequality. Gilmore also believes liberation is not only about ending prison and discrimination but also about building communities where people have access to education, healthcare, housing and better opportunities. To me liberation struggle means standing up and fighting unjust systems for dignity and equality from everyone living in the society.

1. Ruth Gilmore says that capitalism will stop being racial capitalism, when all the white people disappear from the story. What’s the connection between “whiteness” and racism, do you think? She says this because racism was used to divide people back then. She says in the modern day this is used as a way to leverage one group over the other. When she mentions whiteness and racism its because she mentions white people being the top of a hierarchy almost that keep them at the top. SHe calls it racial capitalism because of all these dependent factors.

2.Gilmore makes the point that criminals are actually being created by the criminal justice and prison system (she says “the category of ‘criminal person’ can be perpetuated”). According to Gilmore, how does that happen, how does the prison system create new “criminals“? Do you agree with her view? It happens stated by Gilmore because once someone is labeled a criminal it becomes harder for them to rehabilitate into society. Its harder for someone to get a job, education, housing, services, and etc. She says the label criminal hasnt been used to what it was promised meaning rehabilitation inside prisons haven’t been helpful and instead hurting the label more. Her view to me makes sense because criminals obviously go to jail/ prison where they get rehabilitated but in today’s world that lost its meaning of it, people come out worse than they came back in which makes sense to me.

3. Describe how your understand what Prof. Gilmore – in the last part of her video – calls “liberation struggle”? Gilmore says that means people working together to create a fairer society without racism and mass incarceration. She believes communities should focus on helping people through support, education, and opportunities instead of punishment alone.

1. When Gilmore talks about “whiteness,” she means the way society has historically centered white people in positions of economic and political power. Racism continues because those systems still create unequal opportunities and treatment for different groups.
2. Gilmore explains that once someone enters the prison system, it becomes extremely difficult for them to fully reenter society. Having a criminal record can limit access to jobs, housing, education, and even social acceptance. I do agree with her to some extent. People are still responsible for their actions, but I think society often makes it harder for formerly incarcerated people to move forward and rebuild their lives.
3. Gilmore’s idea of “liberation struggle” is people working together to create a society that focuses more on fairness, support, and opportunity rather than punishment. She believes that real change comes from addressing the root causes of poverty, violence, and inequality instead of only relying on prisons to deal with social problems.

1. I think Ruth Wilson Gilmore connects “whiteness” and racism by arguing that whiteness is not just about skin color, but also about power, privilege, and systems that historically benefited white people while disadvantaging others. In racial capitalism, economic systems profit from inequality, and race becomes a way to justify unequal treatment. When Gilmore says capitalism will stop being racial capitalism “when all the white people disappear from the story,” I think she means that society often centers whiteness as the norm and uses it to maintain social and economic advantages. Racism continues because these systems and ideas are deeply connected to institutions like housing, education, policing, and employment.

2.Gilmore argues that the prison system can create new “criminals” because once people are labeled as criminals, it becomes difficult for them to fully return to society. Formerly incarcerated people often struggle to find jobs, housing, education, and stability after release. Because opportunities are limited, some people end up returning to illegal activity just to survive, which keeps the cycle going. She also suggests that prisons can expose people to more violence, trauma, and criminal behavior instead of rehabilitation. I agree with her view to some extent because punishment alone does not solve the deeper social problems that contribute to crime, such as poverty, lack of resources, and inequality.

3.My understanding of what Gilmore calls “liberation struggle” is that it is the fight to create a society based on justice, equality, and care instead of punishment and oppression. She believes liberation is not only about ending harmful systems like mass incarceration, but also about building stronger communities with access to housing, education, healthcare, and opportunities. Liberation struggle means people working together to challenge unfair systems and imagine new ways of creating safety and support for everyone.

1. Ruth Gilmore says that capitalism will stop being racial capitalism, when all the white people disappear from the story. What’s the connection between “whiteness” and racism, do you think?

2. Gilmore makes the point that criminals are actually being created by the criminal justice and prison system (she says “the category of ‘criminal person’ can be perpetuated”). According to Gilmore, how does that happen, how does the prison system create new “criminals“? Do you agree with her view?

3. Describe how your understand what Prof. Gilmore – in the last part of her video – calls “liberation struggle”?