ozziemarie's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t usually read non fiction let alone rate it, but this deserved 6 stars if possible. It made me angry and hopeful at the same time.
karimorton33's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, what an insightful book! I got angry at times, but I think this kind of non-fiction is very important to read. It definitely expanded my knowledge on the very real issues affecting black people, specifically in America.
judereadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Alexander does a great job of keeping you engaged. There's limited legalese and statistic-vomiting. There are a bit of both but they're interwoven in an accessible and worthwhile way. Her thesis is strong throughout and the meanderings rarely feel pointless. This is a solid work of theory, with some brushed over bits that don't quite fit.
ktxx22's review against another edition
5.0
Oooooohhhh GET FIRED UP!!! This book is dense nonfiction and usually that and me reading it do not belong in the same sentence, but damnit this book NEEDS reading. Published in 2010, so don’t expect the comparative dialogue between crack/cocaine war on drugs and todays Opioid Epidemic. But I would warn you that it’s gonna piss you off. It’s gonna educate you on further injustices being enacted on the black and brown communities. One little factoid that I’ll leave for you as food for thought and inspiration to read is thus... 5g of Crack gets you a minimum 5 year prison sentence. Conversely it takes 500g of Cocaine to invoke a 5 year minimum sentence. I’m sorry but WHAT?!? You might think you’re absent from social bias, but when you finish this book you’ll find that you unconscious bias is the silent killer in your mind. Keep educating yourselves. Keep your eyes open, your ears honed, and your minds sharp. 5/5
ob_ledbetter's review against another edition
4.0
This gets 5 stars for content but DEAR HEAVENS I have got to detract one for the writing. This was a slog, not going to lie. But it was a super important slog to get through. Even with the poor editing, I’d highly encourage others to read! Convincing, compelling, convicting.
ferris_mx's review against another edition
5.0
An incredible description of how racial inequality continues to persist in our society. The war on drugs that nobody asked for and nobody needed. The deeply ingrained discretionary preference to search, arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate Black people for the same crimes that white people are committing unmolested.
sdramm's review against another edition
5.0
Though at times a bit dense and academic, this book is incredibly enlightening and educating about the modern system of mass incarceration, specifically for myself as a white person. This should be required reading for all generations. I give this book my highest recommendation.
anitadisguised's review against another edition
5.0
even though there's a lot of info/numbers/stats it is very readable. would recommend to all