The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences. 

1. Did The New Jim Crow change the way you think about the criminal justice system? If so, what ideas or arguments had the biggest impact on your perspective, and why?

2. Alexander argues that mass incarceration is a form of racial caste system. Have you seen examples of systemic inequality in your own community, workplace, or media? How does her argument resonate with your experiences?

3. Alexander highlights how many Americans see racism as an individual problem rather than a systemic issue. Did this book challenge or reinforce the way you view racial discrimination?

4. The book argues that criminal convictions often carry lifelong consequences, even after someone has served their sentence. Did this book make you rethink ideas about second chances? Do you believe the legal system’s role should be to punish, to rehabilitate, or some mixture of both?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes. 

1. Alexander argues that mass incarceration has replaced earlier forms of racist control, such as slavery and Jim Crow laws. How does this argument change the conversation about racial inequality in the US? Do you see parallels between past and present systems of discrimination in other areas of society?

2. The book was published in 2010. How have discussions around criminal justice reform, systemic racism, and mass incarceration evolved in recent years? Do you think progress has been made, or do Alexander’s arguments still hold as much weight today?

3. The book highlights how laws and policies that appear “race-neutral” can still produce racially biased outcomes. Can you think of other areas in society—such as education, employment, or housing—where seemingly neutral policies contribute to racial disparities?

4. The book discusses how language like “law and order” and the “War on Drugs” has been used to justify discriminatory policies. What similar patterns do you notice in how contemporary political or social issues are framed? How does this affect public perception?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism. 

1. The book frequently uses historical parallels, comparing mass incarceration to past racial caste systems like slavery and Jim Crow laws. How does this historical framing shape the reader’s understanding of the issue? Do you think this approach strengthens or weakens Alexander’s argument?

2. One of the central themes of The New Jim Crow is the illusion of racial progress, where systemic discrimination continues under a different name. How does Alexander develop this theme throughout the book? What rhetorical strategies does she use to make her case?

3. Alexander frequently challenges popular narratives, such as the idea that the War on Drugs was primarily about crime reduction rather than racist control. How does she use evidence and historical context to critique these widely accepted beliefs?

4. The title The New Jim Crow suggests a direct comparison between historical segregation and the modern prison system. Do you think the title effectively captures the book’s central argument? Why or why not?

5. Throughout the book, Alexander highlights how legal language and political rhetoric obscure racial discrimination under the guise of race-neutral policies. How does the book analyze and critique the power of language in shaping public opinion and policy?