Michelle Alexander says calling herself a criminal to friends starts an interesting exchange . Many of us , even Obama , commit small crimes , but still think we 're good citizens , she says . Stigma , social exclusion attach simply because you were once caught with drugs , she says . Comment: Copping to our crimes gives us more sympathy for the convicted , disenfranchised .
Michelle Alexander says calling herself a criminal to friends starts an interesting exchange . Many of us , even Obama , commit small crimes , but still think we 're good citizens , she says . Stigma , social exclusion attach simply because you were once caught with drugs , she says . Writer : Copping to our crimes gives us more sympathy for the convicted , disenfranchised .