The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

The New Jim Crow

Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

2010

Ratings116

Average rating4.5

15

This is an incredibly important book. It will open your eyes to the severity of the problem of mass incarceration, even if you thought you already knew something about. The book is filled with data to support its argument and makes a compelling case. There are some parts of the argument that I don't quite accept, yet, such as that affirmative action actually does more harm to justice reform than it does good for society. Alexander seems to be saying that affirmative action merely hides racial inequality and delays the upheaval that we need in order to really address the problem. I'm not convinced, but I'm willing to listen. Required reading for every American.

(Having said this, the book is highly repetitive and maybe should have been an essay instead of a book, but might not have made the splash it has.)

April 20, 2017