How racist is the “war on drugs”? Very. And if the nation’s capital is any indication, it’s actually getting worse.
The Washington City Paper reports that from 2005 to 2011, 91 percent of DC marijuana charges were filed against African Americans. Meanwhile, just six percent were filed against the city’s white residents. And it’s not like black people smoke pot more than their white counterparts. Study after study has shown that whites and blacks use marijuana at relatively equal rights. Some studies have even found that whites smoke pot at significantly higher rates than blacks.
What’s truly striking is that the disparity has worsened despite intense gentrification throughout DC, which has seen a massive influx of young white professionals leading to the displacement and decline of the city’s black population. The City Paper’s Rend Smith explains:
[T]hough the number of black and white pot charges filed fluctuated from year to year, reefer charges filed against blacks rose 6 percent and declined 10 percent for whites between 2005 and 2011.
Over the last decade, the federal city’s black population has wavered as its white population shot up. If municipal pot arrests were impartial, that should have equaled more white potheads learning what the inside of a squad car looked like as arrests of black potheads became scarcer. Latinos, moving into the city in steady if not overwhelming numbers, for instance, saw their pot arrests rise 40 percent between 2005 and 2011, from 93 pot charges to 153.
Also, at a time when weed has become another chic amenity, there’s a good chance that the city’s affluent whites have most of D.C.’s stash. Last year, Washingtonian ran a gleeful article about the massive amount of weed rambling through D.C.’s elite neighborhoods courtesy of drug-dealing stroller moms and tony pot-delivery services.
Smith also debunks the argument that blacks are charged simply because they’re more likely to smoke outside.
What it comes down to is this: the “war on drugs” is racist and could be getting worse.
It would be useful to look at the irony involved here.
When Eric Holder was the chief prosecutor in the District, back in ’96 or so, he substantially increased the war on weed smokers. He’s continued to go after them, witness his raids on state-licensed medical marijuana providers in California and Montana last year.
The more I see of Holder, the more I see the resemblance between him and Clarence Thomas. An abiding affection for corporate crooks, an unwillingness to hold them accountable, and contempt and disdain for those of their own ethnicity.
This can’t all be laid at the feet of Holder, however, and the prioritization of law enforcement in the District is no longer anything with which I presume he has anything to do. I further presume that the D.C. police department is probably heavily minority staffed. What is happening is that it has fallen into the trap of making easy busts for behaviors that are of minor social concern (i.e., dope smokers and prostitutes) rather than doing the hard work of protecting residents from more serious offenses and offenders engaged in larceny and violence.
Who indeed, is minding the store?
April 24, 2013 at 1:15 pmWho ever told you,,, “JUSTICE IS COLOR BLIND”, lied to you.
Welcome to the real world.
April 24, 2013 at 5:11 pmGreat point Gerrie! Now that we know we are living and being judged by the “real world” rules, laws & stereotypes lets use that for our benefit!!
April 24, 2013 at 11:40 pmAre you finally admaitting there has been racist system in “THE LAND OF THE FREE & HOME OF THE BRAVE,,,AMERICA, for the 300 years???
Do yo mean this report is NOT clear enough?
“Racial Disparities in DC Pot Arrests Intensify Despite Gentrification”
by Rania Khalek on April 24, 2013
How racist is the “war on drugs”?
Very. And if the nation’s capital is any indication, it’s actually getting worse”.
Then, right your own report.
April 26, 2013 at 7:45 pmI’m trying to comprehend this. When you say “system” what exactly do you mean? Is it the president, cops, republicans, democrats or any other entity I’ve missed?
Is this racist system currently being governed by our black president and democratic party that 9 out of 10 black people voted for? If it is that would be silly so I doubt that’s what you mean?
April 25, 2013 at 12:00 amAre you finally admitting there has been racist system in “THE LAND OF THE FREE & HOME OF THE BRAVE,,,AMERICA, for the 300 years???
Do yo mean this report is NOT clear enough?
“Racial Disparities in DC Pot Arrests Intensify Despite Gentrification”
by Rania Khalek on April 24, 2013
How racist is the “war on drugs”?
Very. And if the nation’s capital is any indication, it’s actually getting worse”.
Then, right your own report.
April 26, 2013 at 7:46 pm