Race and Criminal Justice in "The New Jim Crow" Book Review

Race and Criminal Justice in "The New Jim Crow"
A review of Michelle Alexander's, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness".
# 153616 | 1,397 words | 2 sources | MLA | 2013 | US
Published on Jul 14, 2013 in Criminology (Criminal Justice and Corrections) , Sociology (General) , African-American Studies (General)


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Description:

This paper reviews the book, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" where Michelle Alexander illustrates the need for a change in the current criminal justice system in relation to race. The paper discusses her theory that the caste system in the United States is hidden behind formal colorblindness, and that mass incarceration promotes racial control. The paper notes, however, that her methodology seems to be incomplete and the solution that she offers is imperfect.

From the Paper:

"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 effects 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.
"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. (Alexander) The Constitution is identified as a document that allowed slavery to thrive."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press, 2012. Print.
  • Schuessler , J. Drug Policy as Race Policy: Best Seller Galvanizes the Debate. New York Times, 2012. Print. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/07/books/michelle-alexanders-new-jim-crow-raises-drug-law-debates.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.

Cite this Book Review:

APA Format

Race and Criminal Justice in "The New Jim Crow" (2013, July 14) Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/book-review/race-and-criminal-justice-in-the-new-jim-crow-153616/

MLA Format

"Race and Criminal Justice in "The New Jim Crow"" 14 July 2013. Web. 23 March. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/book-review/race-and-criminal-justice-in-the-new-jim-crow-153616/>

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