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
Those labeled felons may be denied the right to vote, are automatically excluded from juries, and may be legally discriminated against in employment, housing, access to education, public benefits, much like their grandparents or great grandparents may have been discriminated against during the Jim Crow era.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the systemic discrimination faced by felons, drawing parallels to historical injustices.
Michelle Alexander's quote emphasizes the ongoing issues of systemic discrimination that individuals labeled as felons face in contemporary society. It points out that these individuals are deprived of fundamental rights such as voting and jury service, and are often discriminated against in various essential areas of life, such as employment and education. This systemic injustice is likened to the societal exclusion and discrimination experienced by African Americans during the Jim Crow era, suggesting that the legacy of such discrimination continues to affect marginalized communities today.
Themes
DiscriminationJusticeFelonsRightsSystemicJim Crow
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on civil rights, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of fighting against systemic injustice.
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