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jrhoffer1913's review against another edition
5.0
Great book - I learned a lot. Very eye opening and sobering. I believe you need to read it a couple times because my first thoughts tended to be questioning for some areas and I needed to soak on it or research before coming to fully understand. Also I think audiobook was easier
halthemonarch's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a must read for anyone looking to investigate the roots of racial problems in America and a great beginning in asking our community what could be done in the face of new and warped policies that keep black and brown people locked within the criminal justice system. The New Jim Crow had me exclaiming out loud at times when the court would baldly ignore a set of rules or circumstances that clearly delineated racial aggression when put together, but individually there were no obvious signs of discrimination. I had always known that the police system in the United States began as a system for capturing runaway slaves “of old”, or rather the late eighteen sixties. I knew too that Abraham Lincoln stood to gain more from freeing the South than holding the status quo, but it was news to me that after he passed it it was virtually three or four generations later that formerly enslaved people were allowed to even dream of similar freedom to those of their white counterparts, indentured servant or not. I knew that there were instances in our country’s history that the government and state took part in racial bribery, but I didn’t know that such instances caused the Democrat and Republican party switch. I knew about the school to prison pipeline, but I had no idea of the brand name ‘felon’ and the damage that does to a person. I knew that many funnel right back into jail in a vicious cycle, but before reading this book, I never got a clear understanding of how it all worked.
From slavery and emancipation to Reaganomics and the war on drugs; to statements like the current caste system depends on the existence of people like Obama and Oprah Winfrey as models of success. The even more mind blowing realization that there were undeniable racial biases involved with the Obama election, within the black community (i.e., those who would vote for him no matter what because of the color of his skin, or not question his policies even when he is going back on his word) and outside the black community (as proved by the resurgence of white supremisist culture when Trump was voted in).
This book shines a light on the frequent demonization and apathy thrown, “not explicitly” to any racial group in particular, but at the figure of who we believe to be a drug dealer or criminal. Michelle Alexander challenges us to close our eyes, imagine a felon, and examine why the face that came to mind might have been black or brown. She challenges the idea that a caste system does not exist, that all communities commit crimes and sell and buy drugs at the same rates but black and brown people are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement, sometimes subconsciously in ways that are nearly impossible to battle in court. What’s a community to do when they’ve been battered and beaten, thrown behind seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and told to ‘just get over it’ because success is available to those who try their very hardest? This book is an informative, thoughtful, well-organized read that I’ll be referring others to once I give it back to the library.
From slavery and emancipation to Reaganomics and the war on drugs; to statements like the current caste system depends on the existence of people like Obama and Oprah Winfrey as models of success. The even more mind blowing realization that there were undeniable racial biases involved with the Obama election, within the black community (i.e., those who would vote for him no matter what because of the color of his skin, or not question his policies even when he is going back on his word) and outside the black community (as proved by the resurgence of white supremisist culture when Trump was voted in).
This book shines a light on the frequent demonization and apathy thrown, “not explicitly” to any racial group in particular, but at the figure of who we believe to be a drug dealer or criminal. Michelle Alexander challenges us to close our eyes, imagine a felon, and examine why the face that came to mind might have been black or brown. She challenges the idea that a caste system does not exist, that all communities commit crimes and sell and buy drugs at the same rates but black and brown people are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement, sometimes subconsciously in ways that are nearly impossible to battle in court. What’s a community to do when they’ve been battered and beaten, thrown behind seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and told to ‘just get over it’ because success is available to those who try their very hardest? This book is an informative, thoughtful, well-organized read that I’ll be referring others to once I give it back to the library.
alexisvana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
The first half was probably too dense for me (as in too many facts thrown at me too quickly so I'm not sure how many of them will actually stick), but the second half was excellent, compelling, f*cking maddening, thought provoking. Essential reading.
mchester24's review against another edition
4.0
I would call this book a must-read for anyone who wants a detailed look at the history of the War on Drugs, and the associated perils that it has brought for the African American community as it replaced the old Jim Crowe system of marginalization and disenfranchisement. This book couldn't be more relevant than in today's climate as many people struggle to understood the deep-seeded anger and frustrations that have boiled over in today's dialogues about racism. I feel I came away with a greater understanding of how such a system of oppression can and does persist in a supposedly colorblind society with a population of people who would largely describe them self as anything but racist.
I recommend this book if those topics interest you, and you'd like to have the tools to talk about race in today's society with a historical context and an understanding of how much work is yet to be done. And I recommend a slow, deliberate read-- because every page is packed with important information and some complex ideas that are worth careful consideration.
I recommend this book if those topics interest you, and you'd like to have the tools to talk about race in today's society with a historical context and an understanding of how much work is yet to be done. And I recommend a slow, deliberate read-- because every page is packed with important information and some complex ideas that are worth careful consideration.