The United States statistically has the highest incarceration rates across the globe. Yet, when the divisions between races are exposed, there are large differences. As a country, racial inequalities need to be addressed differently.
Unfortunately, the law benefits the wealthy and those who can afford good lawyers. White people charged with crimes tend to serve shorter sentences, are punished less, and are often let off in exchange for community service. However, when we look at those who are in jail, it is mainly young black males. As stated previously, police officers are commended for "arresting criminals" and "helping win the war on drugs." This essentially means, go to the inner city and catch as many black males for drugs as possible. The incarceration rates for black males disproportionally sky rocketed in comparison to those of whites.
However, white stereotypes of black males are non-involved fathers, drug abusers, and overall "bad" people. Yet, when 40% of the young black males in the United States are either in jail, on probation, or some other type of watch program, how are they ever given a chance? The repetitive cycle of locking up young black males leads to a further decrease in education and puts them at a disadvantage in the job market. This also leads to a high unemployment rate within the black community. Crime rates also do not go down as a result of being in prison. After being locked up for 10 years and you have no money, a job, a house, and your family does not want anything to do with you- what are the options? Also 75% of people who are incarcerated are classified as having anti-social personality disorder which in turn basically states a general lack of concern for themselves, others, or the consequence of the law. Consequently many of those incarcerated once, will be again. Additionally, this leads to the divisions within the black population in relation to "street" and "decent" origins. When you live life in the inner city and associate police as useless, actions will reflect this. As well, most black people do not fear prison; in fact, it is a signature sign of toughness as stated in the readings.
White people are just as, or more likely to do drugs in comparison to black people but they are generally more discrete about it. White people tend to make deals within a suburban home where no one really knows about it. As well, because a lot of middle class whites smoke marijuana, the laws based around it are becoming less strict. Another reason for such high drugs abuse rates in white is the large social demands set upon them to succeed. Many white people are depressed from these demands and find drugs and alcohol’s effects to be their way out. It is even known that doctors use things like speed to maintain attention and focus during long surgeries. This "unfairness" leads to further turmoil within the inner city.
Unfortunately, I have seen the inner workings of the unfairness within the middle class. I have seen people from high school get busted for 1.5lbs of marijuana, clearly with the intent to sell, and get let off on community service and weekly drug tests. I also know someone whose house was raided by police looking for heroin, to find none, but found a bunch of marijuana and nothing happened to them. I do understand that in the grand scheme of life, marijuana is not really a direct harm to self or anyone around them, but illegal none the less. As well, I had a boyfriend in high school that got pulled over at least once a week for speeding, drifting, neons, etc and to this day I think he only has 3 speeding tickets. I do honestly believe that because all of these people were middle class white males, they were let off with slaps on the wrists.
Honestly, I think the war on drugs was one of the biggest mistakes as far as policy goes. By arresting a ton of young black males, we over filled our prison system and billions of tax dollars are spent each year to keep these people in jail. The reason so many drugs are problems, is because they are illegal. The “bad” deals that go down and things like police shootings occur because many people do fear prison and will do anything to escape. The law also doesn’t change that fact that people are going to continue to do drugs legal or not.
Additionally, prejudices based on race in the justice system also need to be addressed. Consequently of these prejudices, especially those toward black males, innocent people have been shot and killed by the police due to the suspicion of black men carrying guns. The implict association test scrambles “white and good” and “blacks and bad” as a key and then has you match the words as quickly as possible and then switch the word associations. I personally took that test in my psychology class and was a little shocked at my own subconscious beliefs in that, I wasn’t aware of them. My average time when associating “blacks and good” was higher than “whites and good.” Studies have proven that the subconscious attitudes of police officers can be manipulated by exposure and retraining the subconscious implicit associations.
The unfairness in our justice system on race based offenses is wrong and needs to be addressed immediately to save the black community from falling further.
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