Masked racism-reflections on the prison industrial complex

Assignment Help Business Law and Ethics

Reference no: EM133764151

The Prison Industrial Complex Discussion

Overview

In her essay, "Masked Racism: Reflections on the Prison Industrial Complex," Angela Davis argues, "Imprisonment has become the response of first resort to far too many of the social problems that burden people who are ensconced in poverty" (178). She also notes that "racist structures and ideologies" make "mass punishment palatable" (180). Michelle Alexander shares Davis's view of the prison system. In her book The New Jim Crow, Alexander likens the effect of the modern-day criminal justice system on people of color to a new form of Jim Crow, a system that positions people of color as second-class citizens. Both Davis and Alexander look at the criminal justice system through the lens of intersectional theory. That is to say, they examine the ways in which policies and practices within the system affect people differently based on race, class, gender and other variables that affect access to power. Remember, the focus of intersectional theory is that we must look at these variables in conversation with each other. So, for example, we might think about how race and class intersect in ways that produce compounded marginalization.

The work of Davis and Alexander served as a basis for the influential documentary 13th. If you are interested in the issues Davis and Alexander discuss, you might like the documentary 13th.

Prompt

Read the definition of the "prison industrial complex" (pg. 105) and Angela Davis's 1998 essay, "Masked Racism: Reflections on the Prison Industrial Complex" (pgs. 163-167). Then watch Michelle Alexander's 2013 interview with Bill Moyer. According to Davis and Alexander, in what ways does the prison industrial complex reflect racism and classism? How does the justice system that we have put in place (laws, sentencing guidelines, etc.) perpetuate racial and class inequality? Please point to specific points that Davis and Alexander make in their arguments. Did you find these points persuasive? Why or why not?

Reference no: EM133764151

Questions Cloud

Define and discuss the stages of writing development : Explain the connection between reading and writing development and Define and discuss the stages of writing development

What ways do religious identity-feminist identity interact : Referring to both Pauly and Resnick Dufour to formulate your answer, in what ways do religious identity and feminist identity interact?

Mental health care within state : Jails and prisons are often the largest provider of mental health care within a state. Find a research article that discusses mental health

Why you selected pharmacy as a career : Why you selected pharmacy as a career - How the doctor of pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals?

Masked racism-reflections on the prison industrial complex : Read the definition of the "prison industrial complex" (pg. 105) and Angela Davis's 1998 essay, "Masked Racism: Reflections on the Prison Industrial Complex".

Accounting demonstration that how this is helping : Prepare Power Points Presentation on any topic of your Course Cost Accounting demonstration that how this is helping in achieving the social responsibility.

Define self-disclosure by providing an example : Define self-disclosure by providing an example. When is self-disclosure therapeutically beneficial for client? What's one way you plan to handle that situation?

How is chickamauga reflective of a naturalist work : How is "Chickamauga" reflective of a Naturalist work?

Explain media impact gender identity in the united states : Explain how "biology," "family," "peer group," and the "media" impact gender identity in the United States.

User Account

All Pages