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Quote by Michelle Alexander

“Of course in this age of colorblindness, a time when we have supposedly moved "beyond race," we as a nation would feel very uncomfortable if only black people were sent to jail for drug offenses. We seem comfortable with 90 percent of the people arrested and convicted of drug offenses in some states being African American, but if the figure was 100 percent, the veil of colorblindness would be lost.”

Quote by Michelle Alexander

Author

Michelle Alexander

Michelle Alexander is a distinguished professor of law at the University of California, Berkeley. Born on October 7, 1967, she is recognized for her expertise in criminal justice and civil rights. Alexander has authored numerous articles and books on the subject of mass incarceration in the United States and its effects on African American communities. more

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“The fact that people of all colors have been ensnared by the drug war helps to preserve the system as a whole from serious critique, as it creates the impression - at a glance - that the war is being waged in an unbiased manner, even when nothing could be further from the truth.”

People Has Beens War Whole Facts Helping Color Serious Drug Impression Preserves Glances Critique War On Drugs Unbiased

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“Private prison companies are now listed on the New York Stock exchange and are doing quite well in a time of economic recession (and depression in some communities). But that's just the tip of the iceberg.”

Wells Community Company Economic New York Prison Recessions Iceberg Stock Exchange Tip Of The Iceberg New York Stock New York Stock Exchange Economic Recession Private Prisons

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“The prison-industrial complex employs millions of people directly and indirectly. Judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, prison guards, construction companies that build prisons, police, probation officers, court clerks, the list goes on and on. Many predominately white rural communities have come to believe that their local economies depend on prisons for jobs.”

“Prison guard unions have become the powerful political forces in some states, particularly California.”

States Political Force Powerful Prison Unions California Prison Guards

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“For those interested in learning more about corporations and private individuals profiting from the caging of human beings, I highly recommend the book "Prison Profiteers: Who Makes Money From Mass Incarceration."”

Humans Book Individual Human Beings Mass Prison Making Money Corporations Incarceration Mass Incarceration Learning More

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“The dramatically different manner in which we, as a nation, responded to the crisis presented by drunk driving and the crisis caused by the emergence of crack cocaine speaks volumes about who we value, and who we view as disposable.”

Different Values Speak Nations Views Crisis Driving Drunk Cracks Volume Cocaine Emergence Disposable Drunk Driving

Author:Michelle Alexander

“In response to the advocacy of groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, most states adopted tougher laws to punish drunk driving. Numerous states now have some type of mandatory sentencing for this offense - typically two days in jail for a first offense and two to ten days for a second offense. Possession of a tiny amount of crack cocaine, on the other hand, was given a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.”

“The vastly different sentences afforded drunk drivers and drug offenders tells us who is viewed as disposable - someone to be purged from the body politic - and who is not. Drunk drivers are predominately white and male.”

Different Body White Drug Males Sentences Drunk Drivers Offenders Disposable

Author:Michelle Alexander

“Drunk driving contains a far greater risk of violent death than the use or sale of illegal drugs, the societal response to drunk drivers has generally emphasized keeping the person functional and in society, while attempting to respond to the dangerous behavior through treatment and counseling.”

Persons Use Greater Risk Dangerous Drug Behavior Response Driving Violent Drunk Treatment Illegal Drivers Attempting Counseling Illegal Drugs Violent Death Drunk Driving

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“People charged with drug offenses, though, are typically poor people of color. They are routinely charged with felonies and sent to prison.”

People Poor Color Drug Prison Offense Poor People Felony

Author:Michelle Alexander