Overview
According to the book: The 1619 Project, chapter 10: Punishment
1. What kind of parallel Stevenson makes between slavery and mass incarceration? What that comparison tells us about racial relations in the United States?
2. Stevenson argues that "In Germany, there has been a meaningful reckoning with the history of the Holocaust; this sort of reflection and remembrance has been largely absent in America, where many people resist confronting the most disturbing and difficult parts of our past." In your opinion, what is the best way to deal with American past of racial injustice? How can that lead us to a more just society?
According to the article: The Injustice of This Moment Is Not an ‘Aberration’
3. Why does Alexander associate mass incarceration, and mass deportation to U.S historical racial politics of inequality? Provide an example from the article to explain your answer.
4. How white nationalism exacerbates the politics of mass incarceration and mass deportation? What are the consequences of perceiving people of color as a problem?
According to the textbook: Race & Racisms chapter 11: Racism and the Criminal Justice System
5. What are the collateral consequences of mass incarceration? Provide an example to justify your answer.
6. As the author states, “Effective crime control depends on reducing economic divisions,” not expanding the prison system. What ideas do you have for reducing economic inequality in a way that may lead to reduction in crime?