3. How might the social silence around incarceration affect a movement for change? What factors does Alexander feel have caused Americans to deny the fact of mass incarceration of people of color? In what ways might a movement for change want to address t

Conservative politicians spearheaded "tough on crime" and "law and order" policies in the late-twentieth century to galvanize poor whites' support and marginalize people of color. They funneled money into law enforcement and provided incentives to crack down on crime. The media contributed by spreading salacious stories of black crime and violence. Law enforcement may not think they are explicitly racist, and indeed, many of the things they do are not explicit, but they are acting out of racial motivations nonetheless. Our government and law enforcement have failed many of our citizens. They have relegated them to second-class status through their persecutions and punitive laws. The criminal justice system is not colorblind or fair.