Books matching: mass incarceration
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"The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" by Michelle Alexander is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the systematic subjugation of black men in America. Through meticulously researched arguments, Alexander reveals the deeply embedded racial biases within the criminal justice system, highlighting the disparities and injustices faced by black and brown individuals. The book traces the historical trajectory of mass incarceration, exposing the racial motivations behind the criminal industrial complex and shedding light on a new caste system that mirrors the oppressive nature of the Jim Crow era.
The writing style of the book is described as intelligent, powerful, and gut-wrenching, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about systemic racism in the United States. Alexander blends academic sources with common sense observations to create a compelling narrative that not only educates but also urges readers to take action against the injustices perpetuated by the current criminal justice system.
For more than one hundred years, scholars have written about the illusory nature of the Emancipation Proclamation. President Abraham Lincoln issued a declaration purporting to free slaves held in Sout...Locking Up Our Own by James Forman Jr. delves into the historical review of crime and punishment in Black America since the 1970s, focusing on Washington D.C. The book explores the impact of policies related to crime, drugs, and policing on the Black community, shedding light on the complexities and contradictions within the African American population's support for tough-on-crime measures. Forman, drawing from his experience as a former public defender, weaves together political history, policy analysis, and personal narratives to present a nuanced and thought-provoking examination of the factors contributing to the high levels of incarceration among African Americans.
Every generation makes mistakes. Sometimes these errors are relatively harmless or easily fixed. But every so often, a misstep is so damaging that future generations are left shaking their heads in di...- #3
Save:'Locked In: The True Causes of Mass Incarceration and How to Achieve Real Reform' by John Pfaff delves into the complex issue of mass incarceration in the United States. The author challenges common beliefs about incarceration, advocating for a more nuanced approach that focuses on the root causes of crime rather than punitive measures. Pfaff emphasizes the need for reform at the local level, highlighting the disparities in the criminal justice system across different counties. Through a data-driven analysis, the book explores the impact of drug offenses, violent crimes, and the role of prosecutors in shaping incarceration rates. Pfaff's writing style is informative and dispassionate, offering a thorough examination of the criminal justice system while proposing solutions for reducing the prison population.
ASK PEOPLE WHAT THEY THINK PLAYED THE BIGGEST ROLE IN driving up incarceration, and my guess is that many, if not most, will immediately say, “the war on drugs.” I can’t count the number of times I’ve... - #4
Save:'From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America' by Elizabeth Hinton delves into the shift from anti-poverty policies to anti-crime strategies in the United States, leading to the creation of a massive carceral state. It highlights how both liberal and conservative leaders played a role in the policies that quintupled the prison population over 40 years, without effectively addressing the root causes of crime. The author explores how the focus on crime control persisted even as the anti-poverty initiatives faded, exposing the racial disparities and structural inequalities that underpin the American justice system.
Hinton's writing style is praised for being deeply researched, thorough, and comprehensive, providing strong evidence of the failure to address structural inequality in the country. meticulously details the historical progression of policies that disproportionately affected minority communities, shedding light on how the punitive measures aimed at containing crime in black communities perpetuated a self-sustaining system of law enforcement and incarceration.
We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates is a collection of essays that reflect on the eight years of Barack Obama's presidency, exploring topics such as politics, race, and American history. Coates writes with incisiveness, addressing systemic racism, the impact of Obama's presidency, and the challenges faced by the black community. The book delves into issues like racism in America, mass incarceration, the legacy of slavery, and the intersection of race and power.
The essays in We Were Eight Years in Power provide a thought-provoking analysis of race relations in America, offering a critical examination of the country's history and societal structures. Coates presents a compelling narrative that challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the persistent effects of racism and inequality in the United States. Through his eloquent prose and powerful insights, Coates encourages readers to engage in a deeper understanding of the complexities of race and power dynamics in contemporary society.
This story began, as all writing must, in failure. It was February 2007. I was seated in a state office building on 125th Street, not far from the Jamaican patty joint, not far from the fried fish spo...- #6
Save:Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy by Heather Ann Thompson is a meticulously researched and powerfully written account of the Attica prison riot in 1971. The book delves into the events of the uprising, the state of New York's cover-up afterward, and the struggles faced by the prisoners, their fight for justice, and the legacy of the uprising. Thompson exposes the brutality and misconduct of law enforcement, the injustices suffered by the prisoners and hostages, and the long legal battles that followed the uprising, shedding light on issues of racism, state brutality, and mass incarceration in America.
Frank “Big Black” Smith wondered if he would ever get used to being locked up. His cell felt like a casket with the lid left off just far enough for noise, bugs, and weather to get in, and conditions ... - #7
Save:'American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment' by Shane Bauer delves into the disturbing realities of the American prison system, particularly focusing on for-profit prisons. Bauer, an investigative reporter, goes undercover as a prison guard at a private prison in Louisiana, exposing the inhumane treatment of inmates, the profit-driven motives behind prison operations, and the historical connection between convict labor and slavery in the United States. Through a blend of personal experiences and historical context, Bauer sheds light on the dark underbelly of the prison industrial complex, highlighting the urgent need for reform and accountability.
Two weeks after accepting the job, in November 2014, having grown a goatee, pulled the plugs from my earlobes, and bought a beat-up Dodge Ram pickup, I pull into Winnfield, a town of approximately for... - #8
Save:'If Beale Street Could Talk' by James Baldwin is a poignant and powerful novel that delves into themes of love, family, systemic racism, and mass incarceration. The story follows Tish and Fonny, two young lovers in 1970s NYC whose lives are shattered when Fonny is wrongly accused of a crime he didn't commit. Despite the bleakness and hopelessness of fighting the accusations, the novel beautifully depicts the unwavering support and love of Tish's family and Fonny's father. Baldwin's writing style is described as hauntingly beautiful, capturing the intense emotions, struggles, and injustices faced by the characters with raw honesty and depth.
I LOOK at myself in the mirror. I know that I was christened Clementine, and so it would make sense if people called me Clem, or, even, come to think of it, Clementine, since that’s my name: but they ... - #9
Save:The Mars Room, written by Rachel Kushner, follows the life of Romy Hall, a woman serving two life sentences for murder, as she reflects on her past life as a stripper at The Mars Room and her experiences in prison. The novel delves into the dark and gritty realities of prison life, exploring the stories of Romy and the women around her, providing a character study of resourceful individuals trapped in a system that offers little hope. Kushner's writing style is described as deft, strong, and captivating, with detailed descriptions of California and San Francisco, creating a bleak yet engaging narrative that offers insight into the complexities of the justice system and societal failures.
Chain Night happens once a week on Thursdays. Once a week the defining moment for sixty women takes place. For some of the sixty, that defining moment happens over and over. For them it is routine. Fo... "Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption" by Bryan Stevenson is a powerful memoir that sheds light on the injustices within the American criminal justice system. Stevenson recounts his experiences as a lawyer working to defend the wrongfully imprisoned, particularly those on death row. Through the central story of Walter McMillan, one of Stevenson's early clients, the book exposes the systemic issues of racial bias, prosecutorial misconduct, and lack of competent legal representation faced by marginalized individuals. Stevenson weaves together compelling narratives of individual cases with insightful commentary on the flaws of the legal system, making a strong case for reform and compassion.
The temporary receptionist was an elegant African American woman wearing a dark, expensive business suit—a well-dressed exception to the usual crowd at the Southern Prisoners Defense Committee (SPDC) ...
