The Concept Of Slavery In Michelle Alexander's New Jim Crow

Is the concept of slavery truly understood and acknowledged by today’s society or is it just thought of something that happened decades ago? Within Michelle Alexander’s New Jim Crow; Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness the answer becomes clear, it is not clearly depicted among society. Alexander analyzes the uprising of slavery among African Americans and argues how although they are not physically owned by masters like decades ago, they are still treated and portrayed as inferior by social systems such as the prison system and through several government acts. I agree with her belief of the United States having a caste system because she states clear arguments in ways that allow the readers to think in greater depth about what seems to be a justice system. Throughout her book, Alexander also makes it merely clear that racial injustice still exists among people of color. Overall, Alexander transcends historical slavery (mass incarceration) and connects it to the present day form by using important elements, and at the same time overviewing how slavery has been maintained through …show more content…
As stated in Alexander’s first chapter, “the seeds of the new system of control—mass incarceration—were planted during the Civil Rights Movement itself, when it became clear that the old caste system was crumbling and a new one would have to take its place” (Alexander 17). This shows how African Americans have long fought for a fair system that does not discriminate an individual based on skin color, but although there have been battles with improvements, new forms of alienation towards them emerge. Also, how mass incarceration is connected to government and political issues, she continues to elaborate on how issues were created and how they flourished after the Civil Rights Movement and continue to exist