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
The success of the few does not excuse the caste-like system that exists for many. In fact, black exceptionalism - the high-profile, highly visible examples of the black success - actually serves to justify and rationalize mass incarceration.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The success of a few individuals does not diminish the systemic inequalities faced by many in society.
In this quote, Michelle Alexander highlights the issue of black exceptionalism, where the achievements of a small number of successful black individuals are used to distract from the broader systemic issues of inequality and injustice faced by the black community. She argues that such exceptionalism can lead to a false narrative that undermines the call for systemic change, as it allows society to overlook the realities of mass incarceration and the caste-like systems that perpetuate injustice.
Themes
SuccessExceptionalismInequalityInjusticeBlack Community
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on systemic racism and its impact on society, this quote can serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing inequalities.
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
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
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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
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