The New Jim Crow

Books | Social Science / Criminology

4.3

(2.2K)

Michelle Alexander

Once in a great while a book comes along that changes the way we see the world and helps to fuel a nationwide social movement. The New Jim Crow is such a book. Praised by Harvard Law professor Lani Guinier as "brave and bold," this book directly challenges the notion that the election of Barack Obama signals a new era of colorblindness. With dazzling candor, legal scholar Michelle Alexander argues that "we have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it." By targeting black men through the War on Drugs and decimating communities of color, the U.S. criminal justice system functions as a contemporary system of racial control—relegating millions to a permanent second-class status—even as it formally adheres to the principle of colorblindness. In the words of Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP, this book is a "call to action."Called "stunning" by Pulitzer Prize–winning historian David Levering Lewis, "invaluable" by the Daily Kos, "explosive" by Kirkus, and "profoundly necessary" by the Miami Herald, this updated and revised paperback edition of The New Jim Crow, now with a foreword by Cornel West, is a must-read for all people of conscience.

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More Details:

Author

Michelle Alexander

Pages

336

Publisher

The New Press

Published Date

2012-01-16

ISBN

1595588191 9781595588197

Ratings

Google: 3.5

Community ReviewsSee all

"For those worried about this book being a 'leftist' book, it's actually very unbiased and even challenges both sides of thinking. Good mix of research and current events for the average person to read and be able to digest, but also think critically about issues plaguing our nation. "

Emily Newb

"COULDNT RECOMMEND MORE. everyone should read this book. I got this in a little free library and already gave it to a mutual !"

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Taylor Sachs

"This was such an eye opener! I need to reread it since it has been about a decade ago."

Valerie Smith Olalde

"While there are a ton of facts and I understand where this is coming from, it is a little odd that there are sections that directly contradict the title."

Ricki Marking-Camuto

"Absolute must read especially if you are need to learn about injustices and ways you can help. "

Toccara Westbrook

"Such an important book. I value books that teach me at whole new levels so much. "

John Thomas

"This book is a call to action. If you want to understand mass incarceration in our country and the school to prison pipe line (which should be everyone) read this "

Brigit Elizabeth

"History of "The War on Drugs" and how we have given away our constitutional rights in favor of a police state that profits from targeting minorities and the impoverished."

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Rebekah Travis

"absolutely eye-opening! i will never look at the justice system the same. cannot say enough good things about this book. "

Destini🦋

"If you aren’t aware of the impact the “War on Drugs,” has had on black and brown Americans and the impact mass incarceration has had on urban communities, I highly recommend this book by Michelle Alexander. She does a great job breaking down how the 80s 90s lead to the downfall of these black and brown communities and the increase in their incarceration. She talks about the ideas of “colorblindness” and Affirmative Action and what that means when it comes to the actual people impacted by them. She talks about how exceptionalism of blacks such as the life of President Barak Obama, helps lead to the ignorance that many have about society in these marginalized societies. This is an excellent read if you are willing to open your mind to facts that may be different to what you previously thought. "