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
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
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the disproportionate imprisonment rates of racial minorities in the United States compared to South Africa during apartheid.
Michelle Alexander's quote sheds light on the troubling reality of mass incarceration in the United States, specifically how it affects racial and ethnic minorities. By comparing the U.S. imprisonment rates of black individuals to those of South Africa during its apartheid era, she emphasizes a human rights issue that transcends decades and highlights systemic inequality in the American justice system.
Themes
Mass IncarcerationRacial InjusticeEqualitySystemic RacismHuman Rights
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on criminal justice reform, this quote can underscore the urgent need for change.
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.
Michelle AlexanderRead
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.
Michelle AlexanderRead
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
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
The cyclical rebirth of caste in America is a recurring racial nightmare.
Michelle AlexanderRead
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