I was particularly intrigued by the idea of stigmatization, and how it is either embraced or acts as a source of shame for those affected by incarceration.  I think a lot of people blame factors like rap music or gangsta style for perpetuating crime, when in reality they are often a result of being forced into a stereotype.  By embracing a stereotype, it is easier to deal with the consequences if the generalizations end up playing out as true.  A person can then act as though it was their upbringing or overall personhood that caused their behavior, rather than an act of their own volition or a flawed justice system.  Certainly drug promoting and misogynistic lyrics do not help solve crime, but they certainly do not directly cause it.  They must be inspired from an ingrained lifestyle of some sort.

I was less familiar with the idea of shaming, particularly among families and church goers.  The very fact that this involves hidden information means that this isn’t a phenomena that is well publicized. All that seems to be represented in the media is persona outlined above, of the typical criminal embracing a crime lifestyle.  It helped me to read Alexander’s examples of actual stories of those that have been harshly impacted by the current criminal justice system.  I think it’s easy to characterize a criminal as entirely in the wrong, as completely deserving of whatever punishment our judicial system sends their way, but it’s important to be aware of the injustices that are inherent to the present standard.

What did everyone find more compelling overall, Alexander’s description of embracing the crime stereotypes or feeling a sense of shame?  Which do you think is a more common response?

-Jacqui Larsen