In his new book, “The Last Plantation: Racism and Resistance in the Halls of Congress,” James Jones, B.A. ’09, discusses how racism continues to infuse Congress’s daily practice of lawmaking and shapes who obtains congressional employment.
The book reveals how and why many who work in Congress call it the “last plantation” and notes Congress was exempt from federal workplace protections for decades, perpetuating institutionalized inequality well into the 21st century.
Drawing from groundbreaking research and firsthand accounts from congressional staffers, Jones uncovers how systemic racism shapes employment practices and influences the legislative process. The book highlights how the lack of racial representation among staffers affects the development of equitable policies and explores the struggles Black workers face in overcoming barriers within Congress.