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
• • 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:
• • 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”

“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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