ESSAY 2

Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow, and Ava DuVernay, director of 13th , both
argue that there is a systemic, designed link between America’s legacy and history of slavery and
the modern American system of mass incarceration. The way slavery shifted to convict leasing,
to Jim Crow segregation, to the war on drugs illustrates how “systems of oppression are durable
and they often reinvent themselves.”

What factor(s) allowed this system of social control to reincarnate and evolve throughout
American history? (You may choose to focus on 1 or multiple factors)

YOUR ESSAY MUST:

 Be submitted in class by October 30th. Late papers will not be returned with everyone else's, and
ONLY students who submit the essay on time and in class will be given an opportunity to revise.

Be at least 700 words in length.

Include an intro with a clear thesis statement, at least 3 body paragraphs and a conclusion. More
than 3 body paragraphs is perfectly OK.

Be well-organized and developed with supporting details and evidence.

Be proofread for grammar, sentence and other language errors.

Include evidence (examples, testimonials, anecdotes, quotes and/or paraphrases) from BOTH
Chapter 1 of Michelle Alexander’s book The New Jim Crow and Ava DuVernay’s film 13th .
Incorporate at least 2 sources obtained the LaGuardia library databases.

Be in the Proper Format -- - Stapled, DOUBLE SPACED, 12pt Times New Roman Font with 1
inch margins all around!

Include a proper heading and title. NO COVER PAGES or IMAGES.

Be in correct MLA format, including in-text citations and a Works Cited Page.

Be ORIGINAL and NOT plagiarized.