Advisor
Williams, Gregory
Department
College of Political Science and International Affairs
Institution
University of Northern Colorado
Type of Resources
Article
Place of Publication
Greeley (Colo.)
Publisher
University of Northern Colorado
Date Created
5-2018
Extent
34 pages
Digital Origin
Born digital
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to re-examine the policy of felon disenfranchisement through an analysis of its historical lineage from the Jim Crow Era to the contemporary era of Black Lives Matter and identify the influence of White Privilege in its development. Review of previous research indicates a racial bias in the early implementation of felon disenfranchisement intended to prevent Blacks from exercising the right to vote as well as identifies racial motivations behind the use of the policy until present day. The United States has a history of trying to bar Black people from voting.1 Disenfranchisement prevents the exercise of full citizenship for felons and ex-felons in the United States. Primary and secondary sources that address the history of felon disenfranchisement will be interpreted through the lens of critical race theory to identify White Privilege in the development of felon disenfranchisement. This study provides a revised way of thinking on historical race relations in the United States and of the racially disproportionate disenfranchisement of Black United States citizens. This research indicates explicit and passive racial bias in the policy of felon disenfranchisement throughout its historical lineage. It further defines the impact of White Privilege in the policy of felon disenfranchisement. This research proves that policies with racially disproportionate outcomes, like felon disenfranchisement, are perpetuated and left unaddressed because of the absence of White voices and White involvement in the conversations regarding these policies.
Degree type
BA
Degree Name
Bachelor
Local Identifiers
Fletcher_HonorsThesis2018
Rights Statement
Copyright is held by the author.
