The Drug War catalyzed Racism Leading to Overcrowding of Prisons
On June 1971, President Nixon declared a “War on Drugs.” The Drug War catalyzed racism which resulted in overcrowding of prisons. “The Drug War dramatically increased the size and presence of federal drug control agencies, and pushed through measures such as mandatory sentencing and no-knock warrants” (A Brief History of the Drug War). Ever since the rise of the drug war there has been an explosion of the prison population and lack of equity within our criminal justice system. The discretion within the system allows for arrest and prosecution of people of color at alarmingly higher rates than whites. People of color have been targeted at significantly higher rates for stops/searches, arrests, prosecution, and harsher prison sentences. The documentary Broken On All Sides along with relevant articles help to support the claim that The Drug War infused the conflict with racism and overcrowding in prisons.
“Drug convictions went from 15 inmates per 100,000 adults in 1980 to 148 in 1996, an almost …show more content…
Living conditions are more of a hardship for people of color; transportation, money, education, employment, etc.. Getting an education and a well-paying career becomes more of a challenge for people with low income because they are looked down upon for their lack of qualification. For that reason, it is easier to portray minorities to be linked with drugs in order to provide a living for themselves and families because it seems easier than seeking resources that will help them. Along with that, in black neighborhoods, drugs tend to be sold outdoors and in the open. In white neighborhoods, by contrast, drug transactions typically happen indoors; If one sells drugs outside, they are more likely to get
On June 1971, President Nixon declared a “War on Drugs.” The Drug War catalyzed racism which resulted in overcrowding of prisons. “The Drug War dramatically increased the size and presence of federal drug control agencies, and pushed through measures such as mandatory sentencing and no-knock warrants” (A Brief History of the Drug War). Ever since the rise of the drug war there has been an explosion of the prison population and lack of equity within our criminal justice system. The discretion within the system allows for arrest and prosecution of people of color at alarmingly higher rates than whites. People of color have been targeted at significantly higher rates for stops/searches, arrests, prosecution, and harsher prison sentences. The documentary Broken On All Sides along with relevant articles help to support the claim that The Drug War infused the conflict with racism and overcrowding in prisons.
“Drug convictions went from 15 inmates per 100,000 adults in 1980 to 148 in 1996, an almost …show more content…
Living conditions are more of a hardship for people of color; transportation, money, education, employment, etc.. Getting an education and a well-paying career becomes more of a challenge for people with low income because they are looked down upon for their lack of qualification. For that reason, it is easier to portray minorities to be linked with drugs in order to provide a living for themselves and families because it seems easier than seeking resources that will help them. Along with that, in black neighborhoods, drugs tend to be sold outdoors and in the open. In white neighborhoods, by contrast, drug transactions typically happen indoors; If one sells drugs outside, they are more likely to get