sociology writing

Word count: 300

Please read the classic article, “The Mark of a Criminal Record,” by Devah Pager, American Journal of Sociology, Post in the attached file

After you have read this article, watch this short 7 minute interview with Michelle Alexander, author of the seminal book: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.

Now answer the following questions:

1. What were Pager’s research questions in this article?

2. What were the study’s findings?

3. Were you surprised by the findings? Why or why not?

3. To address employment discrimination against ex-offenders – Oregon, and many other states, have ‘banned the box’ (removed the check box from job applications that asks applicants if they have a criminal record). In your opinion, do ‘ban the box’ campaigns go far enough in overcoming employment discrimination? – Are there additional measures that can be taken to ensure we reintegrate ex-offenders of all races/ethnicities into our society after their release?

4. What is your reaction to Michelle Alexander’s assertion that mass incarceration in the US, as well as low level misdemeanors and arrests of the poor and people of color, have become the new Jim Crow?