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Edelman discusses several ways that race and class/poverty intersect throughout his book.
Some of these intersections include school discipline, Edelman discusses how race and class
intersect in the discipline of students in schools. Poor and minority students are more likely to be
disciplined for minor infractions, such as being disruptive in class or failing to follow school
rules. This can lead to the criminalization of these students, as they may be funneled into the
criminal justice system for behavior that would not be considered criminal in other
circumstances. The next is police brutality, Edelman also discusses the issue of police brutality
against Black men and how this intersects with class/poverty. Poor and minority communities are
more likely to be policed heavily and to experience violence at the hands of law enforcement.
This can lead to a cycle of incarceration and poverty, as individuals may be criminalized for
minor infractions and then unable to escape the cycle of poverty due to the consequences of their
criminal record.
Lastly is employment discrimination. Race and class/poverty also intersect in the realm
of employment. Poor and minority individuals are often faced with discrimination when seeking
employment, leading to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. This can make it
difficult for these individuals to escape poverty, as they are unable to access the economic
opportunities that are available to others. The long-term consequences of the criminalization of
the poor can be devastating. It can lead to a cycle of poverty and incarceration, as individuals
may be unable to escape the criminal justice system once they have been entangled in it. This can
have a negative impact on their ability to access education, employment, and other opportunities
that are essential for escaping poverty. It can also lead to a lack of trust and cooperation between
communities and law enforcement, making it difficult to create safe and thriving neighborhoods.
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Edelman discusses several programs, policies, and laws that he believes will help to
improve the consequences of criminalizing the poor. Some of these key ideas include police
reform, Edelman argues that police reform is essential in order to address the issue of
criminalizing the poor. This can involve changes to training and supervision, as well as increased
accountability and transparency. By making these changes, law enforcement agencies can
improve their relationships with the communities they serve and reduce instances of police
brutality and other forms of discrimination. Another one of the key ideas is restorative justice.
Edelman also discusses the potential benefits of restorative justice programs, which aim to repair
the harm caused by crime and reduce the need for incarceration. These programs can involve
bringing together offenders, victims, and community members to discuss the impact of the crime
and find ways to make amends. By taking a restorative approach, these programs can help to
reduce recidivism and promote healing and reconciliation.
The third key I want to talk about is economic policies. Edelman also argues that
economic policies can play a role in improving the consequences of criminalizing the poor. This
can involve investing in education and job training programs, as well as policies that support
affordable housing and health care. By addressing the root causes of poverty, these policies can
help to break the cycle of criminalization and promote economic opportunity for all. Edelman
believes that these programs, policies, and laws can be successful in improving the consequences
of criminalizing the poor because they address the underlying issues that contribute to poverty
and incarceration. By focusing on restorative justice, police reform, and economic policies, these
initiatives can help to create more equitable and just societies.
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