Imprisoned: Interlocking Oppression in Law Enforcement, Housing, and Public Education

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In recent years, there has been a notable increase in bystander videos capturing police brutality, particularly against Black men, leading to heightened public outrage. While discussions around police brutality and racial inequality often focus on specific incidents, they frequently overlook the broader issue of systemic racism that affects every facet of American life. The treatment of Black and Brown individuals by law enforcement reflects deep-rooted historical inequities that extend beyond the criminal justice system, influencing access to housing and public spaces. This work examines contemporary systemic racism, emphasizing the intersection of the criminal justice and housing systems, which together create a matrix of inequality for Black and Brown communities. It highlights historical policies and practices from the era of slavery and post-Reconstruction that contribute to ongoing structural racism in America. By connecting these foundational policies to current discrimination in the criminal justice system and neighborhoods, the book illustrates how the legacy of racism continues to harm Black and Brown Americans today.