NPR has a great interview with author Douglas Blackmon who talks about the history of Black Post-Civil War Re-Enslavement, particularly in the South. In the book “Slavery by Another Name: The Re-enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II", Blackmon gives a chilling account of how Black men were systematically steered into jails and work camps throughout the South, often on bogus or nefarious charges, and used for their labor.
In many ways...he is basically describing the early years of the modern prison industrial complex.
I knew about some of this...particularly about sharecropping...and how that kept Blacks in financial bondage. But Blackmon goes into more detail about the obstacles faced by Blacks after the Civil War.
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INCARCERATING PEOPLE FOR PROFIT IS IN A WORD....WRONG!
Even if one does not ask or pretends not to see the rope and the flashing red flag draped around the philosophical question standing solemnly at attention in the middle of the room, it remains apparent that the mere presence of a private “for profit” driven prison business in our country undermines the U.S Constitution and subsequently the credibility of the American criminal justice system. In fact, until all private prisons in America have been abolished and outlawed, “the promise” of fairness and justice at every level of this country’s judicial system will remain unattainable. We must restore the principles and the vacant promise of our judicial system. Our government cannot continue to "job-out" its obligation and neglect its duty to the individuals confined in the correctional and rehabilitation facilities throughout this nation, nor can it ignore the will of the people that it was designed to serve and protect. There is urgent need for the good people of this country to emerge from the shadows of indifference, apathy, cynicism, fear, and those other dark places that we migrate to when we are overwhelmed by frustration and the loss of hope.
My hope is that you will support the National Public Service Council To Abolish Private Prisons (NPSCTAPP) with a show of solidarity by signing "The Single Voice Petition"
http://www.petitiononline.com/gufree2/petition.html
Please visit our website for further information: http://www.npsctapp.blogspot.com
–Ahma Daeus
"Practicing Humanity Without A License"...
Hi there!
Thanks for sharing this!!
It is absolutely critical to many ongoing discussions!
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
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