Overview
Michelle Alexander's seminal work, 'The New Jim Crow,' argues that the U.S. criminal justice system functions as a contemporary system of racial control, mirroring the segregationist Jim Crow laws of the past. It details how the War on Drugs and subsequent 'tough on crime' policies disproportionately target Black communities, leading to mass incarceration. This system, Alexander contends, creates a permanent undercaste, stripping individuals of their rights and opportunities even after release, effectively re-establishing racial hierarchy under the guise of colorblindness. The book meticulously unpacks the legal, social, and economic consequences, challenging the notion that the U.S. has moved beyond racial discrimination.
Key Facts
- Year
- 2010
- Origin
- USA
- Category
- Sociology / Law / Critical Race Theory
- Type
- Book / Social Movement