Pubdate: Sat, 07 Feb 2004
Source: Tennessean, The (TN)
Section: Spiritual Potluck
Copyright: 2004 The Tennessean
Contact:  http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447

FORUM 'CHALLENGES' WAR ON DRUGS

In the 1960s the Rev. James Lawson and the Rev. C.T. Vivian provoked and 
inspired Nashville and the nation as they took part in the civil rights 
movement. Next week they'll be in town for a special ceremony at the 
Nashville Public Library.

In addition to looking back, they will look forward as to how the lessons 
learned in the movement more than 30 years ago can be used now to fight 
against what many view as a misguided ''war on drugs.''

They will speak at a public forum, ''Challenging the War on Drugs: A 
Community Conversation'' from 9-11 a.m. Feb. 14 at American Baptist 
College, 1800 Baptist World Center Drive.

''In many ways what's happening with current drug policy translates into 
the new Jim Crow,'' said the Rev. Ed Sanders, coordinator of Religious 
Leaders for a More Just and Compassionate Drug Policy. ''Jim Crow laws were 
laws that were designed to control and oppress African-Americans in the 
early part of the 20th century. They were discriminatory laws because they 
had an impact upon African-Americans and people of color in a 
disproportionate fashion.''

For example, Sanders said, the majority of drug use in the United States is 
done by white people.

''If you look at persons who are arrested, prosecuted and incarcerated (for 
drug use) the numbers are extremely skewed towards African-Americans and 
Hispanics, but especially African-Americans. That's the way Jim Crow laws 
were written.''

For more information, call Sanders at 726-3876. Religious Leaders for a 
More Just and Compassionate Drug Policy is on the Web at 
www.religiousleadersdrugpolicy.org.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman