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The Cruel Hand Frederick Douglass Chapter 4 Analysis

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Chapter 4 is entitled "The Cruel Hand," stemming from Frederick Douglass's quote in 1853 where he describes "a heavy and cruel hand" being laid upon the black man. In this chapter, Alexander describes how relevant this quote still is today. This chapter got me thinking about when a prisoner has served his/her time behind bars and they are finally "free," they are anything but "free." They are almost better off behind bars because at least there, they have a place to sleep and food to eat. A prisoner is released out into the real world after serving time behind bars and they are immediately expected to provide for themselves. They are expected to find a job and a place to live immediately. But how are they supposed to do that when nobody will

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