it would be beneficial if police forces recruited as vigorously in black high schools and communities as the military does. i’m not at all saying that our power issues with the police would disappear completely, but it makes a HUGE difference when an officer polices in the same community in which he/she lives. amongst people they know personally, maybe even grew up with.

but, the state will *never* do such a thing because capitalism drives law enforcement. previously incarcerated people provide employment for working class positions, and help keep low wage (but essential) positions filled. who else will sweep hospital floors? who else will work the non-unionized, minimum wage jobs? if we push out the undocumented who we say are stealing our jobs, who do you think will replace them on farms? (probably prisoners, like the ones in Idaho who pick our potatoes, but that’s another conversation)

recividism rates are sky high** because a returning citizen has GOT to be a determined, ambitious, hustler in order to pull themselves out of the grasp of the system that is designed to make them fail and fall right back into the jaws of the beast.

it’s so much deeper than the war on drugs or the war on gangs or the war on crime. and so again, as always, #FTP.

** An estimated 68% of released prisoners were arrested within 3 years, 79% within 6 years, and 83% within 9 years. 82% percent of prisoners arrested during the 9-year period were arrested within the first 3 years. (National Institute of Justice)