Over the course of 2016 and 2017, we held eight community events focused on capters of the new jim crow. A study guide for the new jim crow the real cost of prisons. The book discusses racerelated issues specific to africanamerican males and mass incarceration in the united states, but alexander noted that the discrimination faced by africanamerican males is prevalent among other minorities and socioeconomically. Michelle alexander is a highly acclaimed civil rights lawyer, advocate, legal scholar and author of the new jim crow. The new jim crow is a highly impactful book that will spark a discussion and will question yourself what kind of justice system we are living in.
Michelle alexander talked about her book, the new jim crow. After looking at a pamphlet, proclaiming that drug war is the new jim crow, the author ignored it as a theory promoted by a bunch of conspiracy guys. The new jim crow by civil rights lawyer michelle alexander argues that jim crow lives on through mass incarceration, which strips black men of their freedom, voting. This book taught me an amazing amount about the facts and results of what the author calls the new jim crow the war on drugs, and the changes in legal and policing procedures that followed upon it.
Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness challenges the conventional wisdom that with the election of barack obama as president, our nation has. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness by michelle alexander. The new jim crow study guide and call to action is designed as a companion to the new jim crow. One need only attend any number of legal conferences in the past year or so, or. Before writing her book, alexander was the director of the racial justice project at the aclu. The book discusses racerelated issues specific to africanamerican males and mass incarceration in the united states, but alexander noted that the discrimination faced by africanamerican males is. It landed on bestseller lists, was discussed in the media endlessly, made alexander an activistscholar hero, and led to many subsequent handbooks and publications on how to bring its prescriptions for a better criminal justice system to fruition.
Join the conversation at the book discussion group. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts. Study questions for introduction and chapter 1 the questions are divided into questions that focus on the content of the book and discussion questions. It helps to answer important questions and discussion may bring out information and new points of view on questions like. Before joining academia, alexander worked for the aclu as the director of the racial justice project. To request free copies for your study group, please click here. Michelle alexanders book the new jim crow changed the conversation about race, racism. University of louisville anne braden institute for. The new jim crow topics for discussion michelle alexander and michelle mccool this study guide consists of approximately 27 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the new jim crow. This book is a heavy read but it is inspiring in that it opens the door for people to educate themselves on an incarceration caste system that operates in the same manner as jim crow. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness, by michelle alexander the new press, new york, n. A free, downloadable pdf of the guide is available to groups that have read or are planning to read the new jim crow together, and to educators and students using the book. The new jim crow by onbldgcommunitybookclub see profile 052914.
The authors calls upon the reader to become informed, and to take action. Join us this quarter as we continue our book club discussions. Study guide for the new jim crow use this study guide to help facilitate discussion within your meeting or church while reading michelle alexanders the new jim crow. Once in a great while a book comes along that changes the way we see the world and helps to fuel a nationwide social movement. Our moderator, kathleen, will be leading the discussion. Instant downloads of all 1297 litchart pdfs including the new jim crow. University of louisville anne braden institute for social. Since its publication in 2010, the book has appeared on the new york times bestseller list for more. Forming a book group to discuss the new jim crow, by michelle alexander. The new jim crow book discussion will explore mass.
Book discussion the new jim crow university at albany. Explore the criticallyacclaimed best seller, the new jim crow. Dec 02, 2012 many in the legal academy have heard of michelle alexanders new book, the new jim crow. Jan 17, 2020 when the new jim crow came out, a decade ago, you said that you wrote it for the person i was ten years ago. The new jim crow was an undeniable phenomenon when it came out.
Book discussion group the new jim crow center for the. Mar 18, 20 study guide for the new jim crow use this study guide to help facilitate discussion within your meeting or church while reading michelle alexanders the new jim crow. During my youth in the 1970s, it was common among some african americans to refer knowingly to what was then termed the master plan. Praised by harvard law professor lani guinier as brave and bold, this book directly challenges the notion that the election of barack obama signals a new era of colorblindness. Abi book discussion kit 2 introduction on thursday, nov. This book will change the way you think about criminal and judicial systems in the us. Despite the triumphant dismantling of the jim crow laws, the system that once forced african americans into a segregated secondclass citizenship still haunts america, the us criminal justice system still unfairly targets black men and an entire segment of the population is deprived of their basic. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. Feb 01, 2010 the warehousing of innercity youths, she writes, is a new form of jim crow under which drug offendersin jail or prison, on probation or paroleare denied employment, housing, education and public benefits. Watch michelle alexanders address to general assembly 2012 andor arrange for a showing in your congregation. We will be meeting virtually via zoom and discussing the new jim crow by stanford law alumna michelle alexander, jd 92 before joining academia, alexander worked for the aclu as the director of the racial justice project.
Through these events, we engaged over 800 unique participants. The new jim crow was initially published with a modest first printing and reasonable expectations for a hardhitting book on a tough topic. Take me back to those times and to the work you were doing for the a. Those who believe that full equality been achieved would do well. Study guide for the new jim crow american friends service. It makes me ashamed for the evils my country has inflicted yet again on its black population. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness, in which she argues that the get tough on crime policies that began in the early. Suggested resources this guide will provide links to resources for faculty who wish to integrate the fall 2019 one book, the.
Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness is a book by michelle alexander, a civil rights litigator and legal scholar. Invite others to read the new jim crow and organize more discussion groups, perhaps including those from other faith communities and civic or community organizations. You must explain the authors main arguments and illustrate examples how the author supports his arguments. The introduction begins with alexanders comparison between an incarcerated africanamerican man today and the mans ancestors who, like him, were denied basic rights as a result of slavery and jim crow, respectively. We will be meeting virtually via zoom and discussing the new jim crow by stanford law alumna michelle alexander, jd 92. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness february 9 in maplewood from the hilton branch library and mayor frank mcgehee and maplewood arts and culture. We can discuss below whether this works for people. There will be a free book discussion open to the public on wednesday, july 24 from.
This guide will provide links to resources for faculty who wish to integrate the fall 2019 one book, the new jim crow, into their classes. The new jim crow highlights the racial dimensions of the war on drugs. It will shine a light on a new form of segregation based on race. The new jim crow book discussion will explore mass incarceration. Aug 26, 2014 theres no better book to start with on that project than michelle alexanders the new jim crow. When the new jim crow came out, a decade ago, you said that you wrote it for the person i was ten years ago. In this activity, students explore alexanders argument that our criminal justice system has relegated millions of people of color to a permanent secondclass status, and examine how people are challenging the policies mass incarceration and the new jim crow. The new jim crow book discussion will explore mass incarceration, race and the criminal justice system. Jun 24, 2017 michelle alexanders book the new jim crow changed the conversation about race, racism, and incarceration in this country. The new jim crow is a book by michelle alexander that compares mass incarceration of africanamerican men to racial social control of the jim crow era. Our effort also supported 35 book groups, 10 films and other community events, and distributed 2,000 copies of the new jim crow.
The warehousing of innercity youths, she writes, is a new form of jim crow under which drug offendersin jail or prison, on probation or paroleare denied employment, housing, education and public benefits. Readers are invited to share their reactions and reflections in a safe and trusting community. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness, in which she argues that the get tough on crime policies that began in the early 1970s. The new jim crow is a stunning account of the rebirth of a castelike system in the united states, one that has resulted in millions of african americans locked behind bars and then relegated to a permanent secondclass statusdenied the very rights supposedly won in the civil rights movement. Find a summary of this and each chapter of the new jim crow. Public hosted by orange county racial justice collaborative. Find summaries for every chapter, including a the new jim crow chapter summary chart to help you understand the book. Michelle alexander is a civil rights attorney and the author of the new jim crow. The new jim crow and can be used as companions while reading the book.
Theres no better book to start with on that project than michelle alexanders the new jim crow. Now, tenplus printings later, the longawaited paperback version of the book lani guinier calls brave and bold, and pulitzer prizewinner david levering lewis calls stunning, will at last be. The new jim crow mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness book. Chapter summary for michelle alexanders the new jim crow, chapter 5 summary. On this website we provide the reader with supplementary material, including links to material that will provide additional historical context. Suggested resources this guide will provide links to resources for faculty who wish to integrate the fall 2019 one book, the new jim crow, into their classes. The september session will focus on chapters 4 and 5. Alexander explains that ten years ago, she was suspicious of the claim that mass incarceration was a new jim crow, but. Michelle alexanders the new jim crow chapter summary. The new jim crow introduction and chapter 1 summary and.
The new jim crow by michelle alexander reading guidebook. Oct 14, 2019 the new jim crow is the 2019202 common read. It argues that federal drug policy unfairly targets communities of color, keeping millions of young, black men in a cycle of poverty and behind bars. It landed on bestseller lists, was discussed in the media endlessly, made alexander an activistscholar hero, and led to many subsequent handbooks and publications on how to bring its prescriptions for a. Not all issues presented in the introduction are followed up by questions because later chapters deal with the material in more depth. It helps answer important questions and a discussion. Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness by michelle.
1012 508 817 340 183 1266 813 1522 1513 800 614 11 1113 1437 291 1343 147 664 618 874 515 406 66 611 967 759 885 1439 1415 786 1229 1172 606 1416 1487 577 508 435 888 829 403 616 430