A Viral Book on an Under Examined Topic
4 stars
This book examines the carceral state as a system, with particular emphasis on the injustices of convict labor in the South, starting in the Jim Crow years and continuing through the 70s. The labor portions of this book are most unique and insightful, charting the rise of prison labor unions and their Supreme Court induced fall and the terrible conditions that people have to work under. In the US it's important to remember that slavery isn't abolished - it's still legal for incarcerated people. Understanding that system is essential for those in the US and those who don't grasp how this forced labor still underlies much of our economy. Highly recommend
This book examines the carceral state as a system, with particular emphasis on the injustices of convict labor in the South, starting in the Jim Crow years and continuing through the 70s. The labor portions of this book are most unique and insightful, charting the rise of prison labor unions and their Supreme Court induced fall and the terrible conditions that people have to work under. In the US it's important to remember that slavery isn't abolished - it's still legal for incarcerated people. Understanding that system is essential for those in the US and those who don't grasp how this forced labor still underlies much of our economy. Highly recommend