The Jim Crow laws were thought to be completely illegal and wiped away from the face of America. African Americans were considered completely equal, as they had all the same rights. However, Alexander starts the book in quite an interesting fashion when she talks about Jarvious Coton and his ancestors. She dscussed how him, his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather could not vote. While the reason his ancestors could not vote were because of the Jim Crow laws, the reason Cotton could not vote was because he was a convicted felon.

Alexander argues that mass incarceration happens extensively in the U.S. and the African American minority group is targeted. She shows how the moment after a person becomes a convicted felon, everything that was illegal before now suddenly becomes legal. For example, prior to conviction, it is unlawful to deny a man his right to vote. After conviction, however, this becomes legal.

I thought it was extremely ironic how Alexander came to the realization that the Jim Crow Laws have not gone, but merely exist in another form, on the day of President Barack Obama’s victory. A day that was supposed to be one of jubilance and celebration African Americans and other minority groups rather became a day where Michelle Alexander realized the complete unfairness and inequality that exists within today’s society.