Summary Of Reading Chapter 2
Summary of Reading – Chapter #2
Chapter 2 of The New Jim Crow focuses on how the system of mass incarceration works. Alexander concentrates on the "War on Drugs," because "convictions for drug offenses are the single most important cause of the explosion in incarceration rates in the United States." Early on, she exposes myths, noting that the war is not "aimed at ridding the nation of drug 'kingpins' or big-time drug dealers," and the drug war is not "principally concerned with dangerous drugs" (60).
Throughout the chapter the author explains the way that the system works, and she points out ways that the drug war frequently functions to undermine many civil liberties. She further demonstrates how people who commit minor offenses, and in far too many cases, people who are innocent become involved in the criminal justice system.
In this chapter we also learn that The War on Drugs is more than a simple pronouncement; it is a complex system with multiple rules and regulations. It was authorized by the federal government, protected by the court system, and is executed by local law enforcement agencies. Hundreds of thousands of people are arrested every year for drug offenses, many through specially designed police tactics.
We also read about the racially biased method police officers use, which began with the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA). This method is the Operation Pipeline, which starting in 1984 and trained 25,000 state and local police officers in 48 states to recognize, stop, and search potential drug carriers. Part of that training included considering the suspects’ race.
1. What has been the role of the Supreme Court in addressing racial bias since the beginning of the Drug War?
2. Compare the “Old Jim Crow” system to the “New Jim Crow” system. What similarities? What differences? Purposes? Methods?
3. What do we feel is a reasonable response to those in possession of drugs currently defined as illegal? To those currently selling drugs that are
Chapter 2 of The New Jim Crow focuses on how the system of mass incarceration works. Alexander concentrates on the "War on Drugs," because "convictions for drug offenses are the single most important cause of the explosion in incarceration rates in the United States." Early on, she exposes myths, noting that the war is not "aimed at ridding the nation of drug 'kingpins' or big-time drug dealers," and the drug war is not "principally concerned with dangerous drugs" (60).
Throughout the chapter the author explains the way that the system works, and she points out ways that the drug war frequently functions to undermine many civil liberties. She further demonstrates how people who commit minor offenses, and in far too many cases, people who are innocent become involved in the criminal justice system.
In this chapter we also learn that The War on Drugs is more than a simple pronouncement; it is a complex system with multiple rules and regulations. It was authorized by the federal government, protected by the court system, and is executed by local law enforcement agencies. Hundreds of thousands of people are arrested every year for drug offenses, many through specially designed police tactics.
We also read about the racially biased method police officers use, which began with the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA). This method is the Operation Pipeline, which starting in 1984 and trained 25,000 state and local police officers in 48 states to recognize, stop, and search potential drug carriers. Part of that training included considering the suspects’ race.
1. What has been the role of the Supreme Court in addressing racial bias since the beginning of the Drug War?
2. Compare the “Old Jim Crow” system to the “New Jim Crow” system. What similarities? What differences? Purposes? Methods?
3. What do we feel is a reasonable response to those in possession of drugs currently defined as illegal? To those currently selling drugs that are