“When
the system of mass incarceration collapse (and if history is any guide, it
will), historians will undoubtedly look back and marvel that such an
extraordinarily comprehensive system of racialized social control existed in
the United States. How fascinating, they will say, that a drug war was waged
almost exclusively against poor people of color- people already trapped in
ghettos that lacked jobs and decent schools. They were rounded up by the
millions, packed away in prisons, denied the right to vote, and ushered into a
world of discrimination. Legally barred from employment, housing and welfare
benefits, and addled with thousands of dollars of debt- these people were
shamed and condemned for failing to hold together their families. They were
chastised for succumbing to depression and anger, and blamed for landing back
in prison.” (Alexander, 2013 p.175-176).
Quoting Chapter 4 of The New Jim Crow, 'The Cruel Hand', "The Antidote" by Desiree (TBW Spring, 2014)
No comments:
Post a Comment