Why stigmatizing and confining a large segment of our population should be unacceptable to all Americans.The United States; home to five percent of the world's population; now houses twenty-five percent of the world's prison inmates. Our incarceration rate -- at 714 per 100;000 residents and rising -- is almost forty percent greater than our nearest competitors (the Bahamas; Belarus; and Russia). More pointedly; it is 6.2 times the Canadian rate and 12.3 times the rate in Japan. Economist Glenn Loury argues that this extraordinary mass incarceration is not a response to rising crime rates or a proud success of social policy. Instead; it is the product of a generation-old collective decision to become a more punitive society. He connects this policy to our history of racial oppression; showing that the punitive turn in American politics and culture emerged in the post-civil rights years and has today become the main vehicle for the reproduction of racial hierarchies. Whatever the explanation; Loury argues; the uncontroversial fact is that changes in our criminal justice system since the 1970s have created a nether class of Americans -- vastly disproportionately black and brown -- with severely restricted rights and life chances. Moreover; conservatives and liberals agree that the growth in our prison population has long passed the point of diminishing returns. Stigmatizing and confining of a large segment of our population should be unacceptable to Americans. Loury's call to action makes all of us now responsible for ensuring that the policy changes.
#2342354 in Books Coralou Peel Lassen 1999-11-22 1999-11-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.11 x 6.12l; 1.04 #File Name: 0253335604208 pagesIron Brigade Civil WarAmerican History
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good stuffBy JoshBought this cause I guess I'm related to this guy. Pretty good book for what it is. Shipping was fine as well.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Janice CipollaExcellent! Letters very informative3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Letters home: simple and touchingBy BomojazThis is a collection of the Civil War letters written by John Pardington to his wife Sarah. Pardington; from Michigan; was a member of the Iron Brigade; having enlisted in the summer of 1862. From camp life in and around Washingon to the Battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville; Paddington faithfully writes his wife with particulars about army routines; concerns for staying healthy; and the misery of being so far away from her and their baby. He is rarely concerned with giving details about military maneuvers; his opinions about his officers; or with battle incidentals. He's a sensitive man and never fails to express his love for his family and the amount he misses them. He misses them so much that on a few occasions he thinks out loud to Sarah about deserting; but couldn't bare the disgrace. He worries about money and gives Sarah advice over the miles; he also warns her about friends and family members about whom he has questionable opinions. After Chancellorsville; his unit marches to Gettysburg; where the letters will suddenly end; Paddington was killed there on the first day of the battle. In one of his last letters he derides the activities of the Copperheads: "they seem bound for peace if it sacrifices the Union. It seems poor encouragement for us." (This has a haunting 2006 ring to it.) I found Pardington's patriotism admirable; though probably it was typical. The letters; which are unpolished and simple; are nevertheless heartfelt and compelling. Although not filled with the kind of information the historian might be interested in; they add a very human touch to a cause and conflict Pardington fought bravely for; and for which he finally gave his life.
