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Here's a fact. Federal sentencing guidelines mandate that crack cocaine users, usually poor blacks, serve sentences EIGHTEEN times longer than if they possessed the same amount of powdered cocaine, which is preferred by whites.
If you look at NOTHING other than that, there is only ONE conclusion that you could possibly make, and that is blatant, systemic, institutionalized RACISM runs rampant throughout our system.
Nahh.. He gives the drug warriors reasoning, which is black people go CRAZY on crack, and white people DON'T on powder.. It was RACIST then, and it's RACIST now.. His views were the very reason for the massive sentencing disparity. Before the "fair sentence", the disparity WAS 100:1 and they reduced it to 18:1 - as it that made a difference.
I tried to watch.. I couldn't understand him.. I only got to the point where he said that crack was easier to distribute to black people, or something like that... He said it was easier to make, or something like that..
Neither of those things are true, and both of 'em are the EXCUSES they use to punish black people MORE than whites.. I saw no value in watching more than that..
But, thank you for your words, and your interest..
"The idea that black people go to jail for more time than white people for the same crime, usually the one people like to use on this is the idea that crack cocaine and powder cocaine have different sentences. The reason they have different sentences is because powder cocaine is harder to distribute, it's not as addictive; crack cocaine is much easier to distribute and much more addictive. The fact is that people that designed the disparity in sentencing between powder and crack cocaine were black legislators in the inner city who were sick of watching crack cocaine ravage their communities. Not only that if you actually want something comparable then take crystal meth which is essentially as addictive and is easy to distribute as crack cocaine. The federal sentence for an ounce of crystal meth possession is exactly the same as for an ounce possession of crack cocaine. And the vast majority of people who are arrested for crystal meth possession are of course white."
He goes on to state that most people in jail for drug offenses are there for distribution and not use. I'd also like to note that both crystal meth and crack are full of adulterants which makes their sale more profitable and their use more dangerous.
Ok.. Then I got the gist of it, and my argument hasn't changed.. Those reasons are BOGUS. Powdered cocaine is JUST as addictive as crack.. The stuff about distribution is meaningless. I don't know why THAT has anything to do with sentencing anyway.. Furthermore, you simply can't compare crack to crystal meth. They're TWO distinctly DIFFERENT drugs.. It's like comparing alcohol to pot. They're TWO different drugs.
On the other hand, powder cocaine and crack are exactly the SAME drug.
Now, if you're a drug warrior, THOSE are things you would say. And, certainly, there ARE black drug warriors.
To put this in context, there was a crack cocaine SCARE put out by drug warriors, and the media lapped it up.. People believed it, and were scared.. THIS is the environment where this sentencing law was enacted.. And the disparity was 100:1 in the beginning..
Of course, when they realized their mistake, the legislature reduced the disparity from 100:1 to 18:1.. They left that disparity in place, in my view, because they simply couldn't admit they made a MISTAKE..
A drug warrior would ALSO tell you that we don't lock up simple users... We only put dealers in jail. That's just simply UNTRUE..
Perhaps, I have seen arguments on both sides (sources 1,2,3,4). In any case, the perception that crack is more addictive, even if incorrect, seems very widespread (source 1,2,3). As such, I would say that the perception that it is more addictive is a reasonable explanatory factor in the disparity.
The similarity between crystal meth and crack is that they are both very cheap (and therefore easier to sell than the more expensive cocaine powder). As crack is the freebase form of cocaine it isn't exactly the same. In addition, while the strength and method of use is the main difference, these do cause some differences (sources 1,2,3,4). Now I'm not saying I agree with the sentencing disparity because I don't even agree with the war on drugs. I'm saying there are other reasons that aren't systemic racism for the disparity. Interestingly whites and Hispanics make up 2/3 of crack users (source 5).
To address systemic racism as an explanation for the disparity, however, it makes most sense to look at who pushed for it in the first place; black legislators and activists (source 6,7,8).
I agree.. The PERCEPTION is what causes the disparity. And, in THIS country, we don't PERCEIVE black people very well.. I'm simply suggesting that the perception is based on wrongheaded racist ideas.. That black people ALSO accept the wrong perception, is no less racist. Just look at the right wing black people bront references..
You put forth the arguments I already refuted.. It makes no sense to repeat them..
Sources, schmorces... I'm sure you can find a list of people who believe POT will kill you... That wouldn't convince me. What kind of a source would you believe??? Do YOU have personal experience, or do you just believe the drug warriors?? I HAVE personal experience with all three of the drugs mentioned. It ain't worth much, but it's worth something..
I also understand WHY a drug warrior would compare crack to the MUCH MORE DANGEROUS meth.. If YOU were a drug warrior, wouldn't you???
"I agree.. The PERCEPTION is what causes the disparity. And, in THIS country, we don't PERCEIVE black people very well.. I'm simply suggesting that the perception is based on wrongheaded racist ideas.. That black people ALSO accept the wrong perception, is no less racist. Just look at the right wing black people bront references.."
If the perception that crack is more addictive than cocaine is what causes the disparity then racism isn't what causes the disparity. In addition, even if false, why is thinking crack is more addictive than cocaine a "wrongheaded racist idea"?
"Sources, schmorces... I'm sure you can find a list of people who believe POT will kill you... That wouldn't convince me."
If it was mainstream thought that pot would kill you (it isn't) it would make more sense to argue that pot was illegal because most people believed it was deadly, than it would to argue it was illegal because of systemic racism. This is the point I'm making.
"I also understand WHY a drug warrior would compare crack to the MUCH MORE DANGEROUS meth.. If YOU were a drug warrior, wouldn't you???"
Ben Shapiro isn't a "drug warrior" (source 1). Do you have any sources for why meth is worse than crack? I searched around and have found arguments on both sides. For example, Meth's longer duration means less is needed which means less crime (e.g theft) is necessary to support an addiction. This also renders it's sale theoretically less lucrative for the dealer than crack.
Once again, 2/3 of crack users are white or Hispanic which makes racism even less powerful as an explanation of the sentencing disparity (source 2).
Stating facts and statistics isn't racism. Assuming all cops are bad due to "whiteness" or that blacks can't figure out how to succeed without white help is racism. Guess which one you are.
Here's a fact. Many cops say they are reluctant to draw on a black more than a white from fear of being labeled racist. Most blacks who are killed are killed by black people. 12% of the population commits 50% of the crime. Quit making excuses for those who breed failure and start praising blacks who just go get it done with no bs excuses. You are enabling violence and rewarding it mindlessly.