Michelle Alexander substantially advanced discussions surrounding race and the legal system with her book "The New Jim Crow." In it, she argues that mass incarceration functions as a contemporary system of racial control, paralleling historical Jim Crow laws. Alexander’s insights challenge societal perceptions of criminal justice and highlight the systemic inequalities embedded within, prompting critical conversations about race, justice, and social change in the United States. Her work advocates for reform and broader recognition of the intersections between race and the legal framework.