In this chapter, we see yet another side to the problems of the mass incarceration. But one thing that she does in this chapter differently is that she brings in the perspective of a person. She talks about the prisoner who spends more money on transportation than he makes in his work, which spurs in a interesting view of what it means to be a paroled individual.
There is much to criticize about Michelle Alexander’s take on how to write this book. Her belief is that the statistics will speak for themselves. But she uses statistics to back an emotional argument, and every emotional argument needs a good emotional backing.
My question to her is why does she avoid using stories like the Mr. McNair? My belief is that if mass incarceration is really on such a scale as she suggests, she should very easily be able to procure examples of wrongful incarceration and from there show just how powerful her point rings true. By her coming from an unbiased background, where she has only facts to back her up, but no people, she is essentially garnering opposition from people who easily cite the stats as false. But bring in a testimony or twenty, and people will realize just how horrible the situation is.
The biggest solution to all the problems is to educate and to speak out. This has been repeated many times. But why does Ms. Alexander believe otherwise??
I don’t think that education and speaking out is the biggest solution. While both are important and may work for some, you have to keep in mind who it is that they are speaking out to. The person who is judging them has his own beliefs and biases. It doesn’t matter how much you say if no one is willing to listen. In order to combat the unfairness, you would have to change people’s beliefs. It’s not easy to change the opinions of an adult who believes that you are wrong. There are people who are too stubborn to admit that they were wrong when stating facts, let alone opinions. It’s a pessimistic view, but I doubt that this problem will ever be solved.