Interrogating Mass Incarceration and Race (2962)

Discussion Topic: Interrogating Mass Incarceration and Race
LINK TO TEXTBOOK PDF PRESS GET TO DOWNLOAD PDF: https://library.lol/main/CE8CEBF63DAC6BD917B3139F8…

Discussion Questions: As your textbook states, “The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world” (371). Please explain how race and racial ideologies about criminality are related to the high rates of incarceration in the U.S. Additionally, drawing on Michelle Alexander’s assertions about the “New Jim Crow,” please discuss the ways that systematic discrimination leads to mass incarceration that disproportionately affects Black and Brown lives.

Include the following components in your submission:

1. Respond to each question and prompt above
2. Write at least 1 paragraph, minimum of 7-10 sentences for your original post
3. Use at least one quote from the textbook to support your discussion; provide the page number for the quote
4. Provide meaningful feedback to at least 1 classmate (minimum of 5 sentences; thoughtful responses express how you connect or relate to the post and can also add on thoughts in response to the content of the original post)

Classmates discussion post to respond to:

After reviewing this week’s module it is evident that race, and racial ideologies about criminality, are related to the high rates of incarceration in the U.S. As we have learned, America has a long history of racial discrimination rooted in slavery and segregation. The criminal justice system has often been used as a tool to control and oppress African Americans and other minority groups. An example of this is the War on Drugs, initiated in the 1980s, which disproportionately targeted African American and Latino communities. Policies like the five-year mandatory minimum sentence for drug possession and three-strikes laws led to a massive increase in incarceration rates. This heavily affected minority populations “…because of stereotypes that drug law violators are Black, combined with the relatively weak political power of poor Black communities, law enforcement agents have targeted open-air drug markets in poor Black communities instead of the places where White people use and sell drugs” (Golash-Boza, 349). Additionally, Michelle Alexander’s seminal work, “The New Jim Crow,” highlights how systematic discrimination has led to mass incarceration that disproportionately affects Black and Brown lives. Sentencing disparities within the judicial system contribute to harsher sentencing and treatment of Black and Latino individuals. For example, “…Black and Latinx people are more likely to be sentenced to longer prison terms than White people, even after taking into account the severity of the charges”(Golash-Boza, 356). As well as, “…Black people are sent to prison on drug charges at nearly twelve times the rate of White people, despite using and selling drugs at about the same rates”(Golash-Boza, 356). Overall, it is evident that race, racial ideologies, and systematic discrimination manifest in various forms within the criminal justice system, which contributes to mass incarceration that disproportionately affects Black and Latino communities.

Collepals.com Plagiarism Free Papers

Are you looking for custom essay writing service or even dissertation writing services? Just request for our write my paper service, and we'll match you with the best essay writer in your subject! With an exceptional team of professional academic experts in a wide range of subjects, we can guarantee you an unrivaled quality of custom-written papers.

Get ZERO PLAGIARISM, HUMAN WRITTEN ESSAYS

Why Hire Collepals.com writers to do your paper?

Quality- We are experienced and have access to ample research materials.

We write plagiarism Free Content

Confidential- We never share or sell your personal information to third parties.

Support-Chat with us today! We are always waiting to answer all your questions.