The documentary the 13th examines the Richard Nixon era, the new Jim Crow Laws, Ronald Reagan “War on drugs”, Bill Clinton’s “three strikes you’re out” which lead to a massive incarnation in the 1990s of minorities for a long period of time. In 1989, Ronald Reagan declared a war on drugs. Crack and Cocaine were rising and the usage of the products depended on social class. Crack was an inner city drug and the majority of consumers were from Black and Hispanic communities. Those who were arrested with the drug were sentenced of life, whereas, Coke which was a suburb drug, faced less severe consequences. Black men were portrayed as “Super predators” and encountered massive discrimination during the era. Civil Right activists were often imprisoned
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It was the era of the hippies, the “love and peace”, and many people began consuming marijuana, LSD, Heroin and Coke for recreational purposes.. In 1979, one in 10 Americans used illegal drugs on a regular basis. It was a symbol of youth rebellion and social upheaval. In 1968, Richard Nixon called drug abuse “Public enemy number one”. In 1the 1968 presidential election, Richard Nixon campaigned on the idea of “Law and Order” in which he sought a stricter criminal justice system. Nixon wanted for everyone to respect the law. In an effort the gain Democratic voters from the south, he utilized the Southern Strategy. Ronald Reagan also ran on similar terms. He used terms like welfare queen and promoted state right issues in the South.(Lynch,1). Under Richard Nixon’s presidency Congress passed the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act in an effort to combat the rising drug problem in the United States. It replaced more than 50 pieces of drug legislation. The act categorized drugs into five sections. Schedule I drug were the most dangerous and Schedule IV had the least potential for abuse. This how drugs are categorized in the present day. The second part of the act established the penalties of exportation and importation of drugs. In 1973, the Drug Enforcement Agency was created in order to combat drug smuggling. Nixon used his power to push for treatment for drug addicts. Under the Controlled Substance Act Title II of the Drug Abusive prevention and Control Act regulated manufacture of hallucinogens, narcotics and etc. (U.S. Food and Administration Agency,1)The Federal Government began taking an active role in drug prevention. Richard’ Nixon war on drugs was aimed at minorities. In an interview, John Ehrlichman, a close advisor to Nixon, argued that the campaign in 1968 had two enemies which were the “antiwar left and black people” With this, they were able to disrupt these
It was the era of the hippies, the “love and peace”, and many people began consuming marijuana, LSD, Heroin and Coke for recreational purposes.. In 1979, one in 10 Americans used illegal drugs on a regular basis. It was a symbol of youth rebellion and social upheaval. In 1968, Richard Nixon called drug abuse “Public enemy number one”. In 1the 1968 presidential election, Richard Nixon campaigned on the idea of “Law and Order” in which he sought a stricter criminal justice system. Nixon wanted for everyone to respect the law. In an effort the gain Democratic voters from the south, he utilized the Southern Strategy. Ronald Reagan also ran on similar terms. He used terms like welfare queen and promoted state right issues in the South.(Lynch,1). Under Richard Nixon’s presidency Congress passed the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act in an effort to combat the rising drug problem in the United States. It replaced more than 50 pieces of drug legislation. The act categorized drugs into five sections. Schedule I drug were the most dangerous and Schedule IV had the least potential for abuse. This how drugs are categorized in the present day. The second part of the act established the penalties of exportation and importation of drugs. In 1973, the Drug Enforcement Agency was created in order to combat drug smuggling. Nixon used his power to push for treatment for drug addicts. Under the Controlled Substance Act Title II of the Drug Abusive prevention and Control Act regulated manufacture of hallucinogens, narcotics and etc. (U.S. Food and Administration Agency,1)The Federal Government began taking an active role in drug prevention. Richard’ Nixon war on drugs was aimed at minorities. In an interview, John Ehrlichman, a close advisor to Nixon, argued that the campaign in 1968 had two enemies which were the “antiwar left and black people” With this, they were able to disrupt these