The disproportionate amount of minorities incarcerated has been covered on this blog before, and the war on drugs is one major reason for the skyrocketing figures of minorities in the criminal justice system. The war on drugs and drug policy targets drugs and behaviors that certain demographics are more likely to participate in or use. In addition, certain drugs and behaviors carry much more weight. This is the case with crack and powder cocaine. Powder cocaine does not carry the same charges if you are caught as crack cocaine does, despite these drugs affecting the body similarly and being the same substance in different forms. Crack cocaine is often known as a "street" drug, ie, used more by minorities, while powder cocaine is more likely to be used by white people.
The amount of African Americans in prison for drugs is astounding and leaves major holes in communities. These communities don't have parent-figures or role models because of the mass incarceration, and the cycles of poverty are perpetuated, leading to more drugs being made and sold illegally. The underground economy of drugs largely exists due to a lack of options for minorities and the urban poor in the job market. The underground economy is only stimulated by incarceration and criminalization of drugs and drug use. With so many community members in jail, more and more of their family members must also take risks to support themselves. It is a viscious cycle.
The House I Live In is very thorough and informative. It highlights certain policies and political decisions that have created this mess of incarceration, high poverty and crime, and misunderstanding of drugs. I highly recommend it as a resource into understanding U.S. drug policy and the racism institutionalized into these policies.
--Megan
