Change is an inevitable part of life. There are only a few aspects of life that will remain the same over time. Before a change can occur a problem must be identified. Once identified, awareness regarding the topic must be spread. This could come in various forms. Michelle Alexander illustrates the need for a change in the current criminal justice system in relation to race through her book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.
Michelle Alexander's book, The New Jim Crow, serves a specific purpose. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, identifies the alarming rate at which incarceration occurs in our country. This event is specifically identified in the African American community. The affects are revealed through this book. The primary objective is to increase awareness regarding the issue. This may be identified in the preface of the book.
The title represents a specific instance that frequently occurs in our country. It is derived from the actual Jim Crow Laws. The original Jim crow laws were implemented to segregate African Americans in the southern region of the country. They identified the acts as "separate but equal." (Alexander) The original Jim Crow Laws were a blatant form of discrimination. The New Jim Crow identifies related issues. The biggest similarity may be identified by the race related situations that are identified in Michelle Alexander's book.
[...] However, her methodology seems to be incomplete. Michelle calls for a shift from civil rights to human rights. This is refuted by her revelation that the issue of race will never be overcome. Further research by the offer may reveal a complete solution to the issue. Bibliography Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press Print. Schuessler , J. Drug Policy as Race Policy: Best Seller Galvanizes the Debate. New York Times Print . [...]
[...] Over the course of 25 years the population of people incarcerated has grown from 350,000 to 2,300,000. (Alexander) An increase in the number of people incarcerated for violating parole has also been identified. The author identifies that people are treated as if they have committed a crime if they are not able to immediately cope with being incarcerated. (Alexander) The next chapter of the book is The Color of Justice. In this chapter the rates in which drugs are consumed and sold are identified. Similarities are revealed in the Caucasian and African American communities. [...]
[...] (Alexander) After the chapter, The Color of Justice, the book reveals The Cruel Hand as the 4th chapter. This chapter identifies the discrimination caused by a guilty plea. People that accept guilty pleas are subject to employment discrimination. The plea ads a charge to the person's record that will repel employers. (Alexander) Housing discrimination is another result of a guilty plea. (Alexander) Certain housing authorities will categorize the person as a criminal and not allow them to stay certain places. [...]
[...] The existence of racial differences is recognized by the author in this chapter. They will always exist according to Alexander. However, a shift from civil rights to human rights would assist in removing the caste system. Several people have offered criticism of Michelle Alexander's book. The New York Times has even devoted an article to the book. James Forman Junior of Yale University refutes various topics within the book. His primary criticism is her heavy analogy to the real Jim Crow Laws. [...]
[...] The New Jim Crow identifies related issues. The biggest similarity may be identified by the race related situations that are identified in Michelle Alexander's book. The Rebirth of Caste is the first chapter of the book. In this chapter slavery and the Jim Crow laws are identified. Each of these are identified as precursors to The New Jim Crow laws. (Alexander) The primary cause for both slavery and the original Jim Crow Laws are identified in this chapter. The demand regarding labor on the various plantations is identified as the primary cause for slavery. [...]
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