In 2004, there were more black men disenfranchised than in 1870 - the year the 15th Amendment was ratified, prohibiting laws that deny the right to vote exclusively on the basis of race.
Michelle AlexanderRead
It's not crime that makes us more punitive in the United States. It's the way we respond to crime and how we view those people who have been labeled criminals.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The punitive approach in the U.S. stems from societal attitudes towards crime and criminals rather than the crime itself.
Michelle Alexander emphasizes that the harsh punitive measures in the United States are a reflection of our societal perceptions and responses to crime and those labeled as criminals. Instead of focusing on the root causes of crime, society's reaction often intensifies the punishment and stigmatization of individuals, thereby perpetuating a cycle of injustice and misunderstanding.
Themes
CrimePunishmentSocietyJusticeCriminals
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on criminal justice reform, one might use this quote to highlight the need for a change in societal attitudes towards rehabilitation.
More from Michelle Alexander
All quotes →My experience and research has led me to the regrettable conclusion that our system of mass incarceration functions more like a caste system than a system of crime prevention or control.
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The United States imprisons a larger percentage of its black population than South Africa did at the height of apartheid. In Washington, D.C., our nation’s capitol, it is estimated that three out of four young black men (and nearly all those in the poorest neighborhoods) can expect to serve time in prison.
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We have avoided in recent years talking openly and honestly about race out of fear that it will alienate and polarize. In my own view, it’s our refusal to deal openly and honestly with race that leads us to keep repeating these cycles of exclusion and division, and rebirthing a caste-like system that we claim we’ve left behind
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No other country in the world imprisons so many of its racial or ethnic minorities. The United States imprisons a larger percentage of its black population than South Africa did at the height of apartheid
Michelle AlexanderRead
There has been an outpouring of anger and concern because of the actions of George Zimmerman, a private citizen who profiled a young boy and pursued him and tried to confront him, perhaps. But what George Zimmerman did is no different than what police officers do every day as a matter of standard operating procedure.
Michelle AlexanderRead
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