42 Mass-Incarceration: “Guilty Until Proven Innocent”
Hosts: Diane, Kekey, L.G.
Executive Producer: DJ LG
Episode Introduction:
In this episode of ‘Now What’, we talk about equal justice & mass-incarceration and its impact on the black and brown community.
Episode Summary:
The episode focuses on the reality many in our community face when dealing with the justice system; “We’re guilty until proven innocent”. The traditional American ideals of justice of being “innocent until proven guilty in a court of law” , are just that, ideals we are still fighting to achieve.
In this episode, the Kyle Rittenhouse case is compared to the cases of Kenneth Walker & Ahmaud Aubrey, demonstrating the “difference in treatment” our community faces in the justice system. This “difference in treatment” has led to the mass-incarceration of our community at alarming rates, impacting the family structure and disenfranchising millions from the political system.
We educate listeners on the $100 billion dollar jail & prison system, and the “school to prison” pipeline.
The episode closes with a discussion on how the Defunding the Police movement strives to bring equality and remove racism from the justice system.
*commentary correction: L.G. referenced “$87 billion in 2005” , correct date is 2015.
Key Facts:
- US has 5% of world’s population, but 25% of it’s incarcerated population
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- In 1972, 200,000 were incarcerated, now 2.2 million.
- $87 Billion spent in 2015 on jails and prisons + 1000%, from $7.45 billion in 1975.
- From 1980 to 2017, the number of women in jails and prisons in the U.S. grew 750%. Over 225,000 women are incarcerated today.
- 4.5 million people can’t vote because of a past conviction
(source: Equal Justice Initiative)
“Now What” Takeaways:
- Diane:
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- Make yourself aware of what’s happening locally, including voting in local elections.
- Educate your kids about their rights when speaking to school officials.
- Key:
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- Check your 401K plans for private prison stocks
- Do not invest in: Core Civic (CXW) or The Geo Group (GEO) stocks
- L.G.:
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- Support your family who are in the “system”
“Now What” Takeaways:
- Diane:
-
- Make yourself aware of what’s happening locally, including voting in local elections.
- Educate your kids about their rights when speaking to school officials.
- Key:
-
- Check your 401K plans for private prison stocks
- Do not invest in: Core Civic (CXW) or The Geo Group (GEO) stocks
- L.G.:
-
- Support your family who are in the “system”
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