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.
The clock has been turned back on racial progress in America, though scarcely anyone seems to notice. All eyes are fixed on people like Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey who have defied the odds and achieved great power, wealth, and fame.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the regression in racial progress despite the visibility of successful individuals from marginalized groups.
Michelle Alexander's quote underscores a critical observation about the state of racial progress in America. Although it may seem that significant strides have been made, particularly with the success of notable figures like Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, the reality is that many systemic issues remain unaddressed. The fixation on these high-profile individuals can create a misleading narrative that overlooks ongoing challenges and the broader context of racial inequality.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about recent social movements and their effectiveness, this quote can emphasize the importance of recognizing ongoing issues.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Similar quotes
It is up to us to change laws on the books like 'Stand Your Ground' laws and push elected officials to enact regulations that hold police officers to the same standards as the rest of society. This is why we vote.
Every generation renews itself in its own way; there's always a reaction against whatever is standard.
All of us will ultimately be judged on the effort we have contributed to building a new world order.
I who am in the night will move into the day.
Do you know anyone who hasn't changed his mind? This door was a tree, then it will be firewood for someone, then it will return to air and earth. We're all like that, constantly changing. It's simply honest to report that you've changed your mind when you have. When you're afraid of what people will think if you speak honestly, that's where you become confused.
The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters