Racism Black Masculinities Book Review - 768 Words

JaDechia Hill Black Masculinities Book Review #1 Racism has reared its ugly face for many decades, destroying families and interrupting lives. Most people do not consciously wake up and â€Å"do† race every day. In fact, many participants are unaware of the racial constraints and barriers that are placed on other groups based on the amount of melanin in the skin. Regarding racism in America, many are under the impression that racism is a thing of the past and that as a country, we have removed the element of racism from our culture. Many make statements like, â€Å"how can that be racist, if we have a black president†, or that person is just â€Å"pulling the race card, they aren’t a real victim† to combat accusations of racism. In events of apparent†¦show more content†¦The civil rights movement exposed how unconstitutional Jim Crow laws were. Civil Rights was assumed to have ended racism. However, Alexander claims that mass incarceration is a â€Å"a stunningly comprehensive and well-disguise d system of racialized social control that functions in a manner strikingly similar to Jim Crow. The War on Drugs takes place in areas of poverty or poor inner city ghettos and dismantles established communities. Those living in these impoverished communities lack political power and voice. Because the war on drugs does not explicitly target these groups, it is easy to write off those incarcerated as â€Å"trouble makers†. She explains that the one group we dislike more than any other are criminals. The war on drugs has been internalized by both people of color and whites to the point that it no longer surprises anyone when a black man is arrested and charged with possession or an act of violent behavior. It is as though it has become an expectation for black men to become a criminal. The media helps to push the idea that black = criminal through their projection of blackness in the media. Thus tainting the American psyche and training the psyche to make that association the blacks are more prone to violence and drug participation. I agree with Alexander that mass incarceration has become a ‘silent killer’ destroying families and â€Å"relegating† persons of color to permanent second class citizens.