Horror for Newbies
Jeremiah asked this question about The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness:
Serious question: If blacks (and minorities in general) are disproportionately charged for drug offenses, why don't they stop using/selling drugs?
Andrea Here is a better question- why do people (mostly of color) go to jail for low level drug offenses, but people like the Sackler family of Purdue Pharma…moreHere is a better question- why do people (mostly of color) go to jail for low level drug offenses, but people like the Sackler family of Purdue Pharma, who have propagated the opioid crisis, and, knowingly waged a false campaign about the safety of opiods, not in jail. The damage done to our society by the Sackler's far outweighs anything most people in jail have done, but still, they walk free. Sure, the Sackler's may lose 2 of their 3 billions in lawsuits, but they are likely to retain at least one billion of their money because it is stashed overseas. Talk about racial disparity in bringing people to justice for their crimes! Also, many people who get into the system aren't actually dealing drugs- one only has to be stopped and arrested, not actually convicted, to be denied housing, and other vital aspects of living in our society. Lastly, the author contends that whites actually take/sell drugs at a much higher rate than blacks, it's just that blacks are doing so on the street where it is easier for them to be discovered. The book is excellent and at the same time doesn't deliver many answers as to how to fix the racial disparity in the criminal justice system. (less)
flag
More questions about The New Jim Crow…
Image for The New Jim Crow
The New Jim Crow
by Michelle Alexander
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more