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

Author: Michelle Alexander

ISBN: 9781620971949

Publisher: The New Press

Publication Date: Originally published in 2010; Updated edition available

Genre: Social Justice, Criminal Justice, Race Relations, Non-fiction

Themes: Mass Incarceration, Racial Inequality, Systemic Racism, Criminal Justice Reform

Michelle Alexander's groundbreaking book, "The New Jim Crow," argues that the U.S. criminal justice system operates as a contemporary system of racial control, akin to the Jim Crow laws of the past. By examining the historical context of racial caste systems in America, Alexander demonstrates how mass incarceration disproportionately affects African Americans, effectively creating a new undercaste. She argues that the War on Drugs has been a primary driver of this phenomenon, leading to devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. "The New Jim Crow" is a powerful and insightful analysis that challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable truths about race and justice in America, advocating for profound systemic change. It has sparked critical conversations and remains a vital resource for understanding racial inequality in the 21st century.