Headed to the streets: a question of colour in the era of mass-incarceration a content analysis of the multi-media project "Die Jim Crow"

This thesis discusses the mass incarceration of Black people in the United States as a new caste system. It consists of a thematic analysis of the multi-media project "Die Jim Crow" about the Black American experience in the era of mass incarcerationand the results of two interviews conducted with project participants. The project includes six songs titled: "My Name Be Jim Crow", "Tired and Weary", "A215-162", "Plastic Bag", "First Impressions", and "Headed to the Streets", one music video, and a variety of visual art, all complied into one book. The project and its contents were analyzed for consistent themes, identified as historical racism and racial profiling, systemic inequalities in the justice system, dehumanization and humiliation, unacceptable living conditions for inmates in prison, and inadequate reintegration resources. These themes were reiterated throughout the impressive and thoughtful songs, interviews with contributors, and visual art within the project, and they call into question the justice of the United States' criminal system and its obsession with the disproportionate mass incarceration of Black Americans. To preface my thesis with a disclaimer that is very important to me: I am neither Black nor have I ever been incarcerated. I am not claiming to understand these experiences and I do not wish to exploit them in any way. My goal is to use the privilege that has been afforded to me through my race and education as a platform to communicate the art and lived experiences documented by the talented, determined, inspirational participants from "Die Jim Crow"