Pubdate: Fri, 08 May 2009
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2009 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Sandra S. Bennett

REPEALING PENALTIES SLIGHTS GOAL OF LAW

According to the April 30 news brief, "Officials seek parity for 
crack, powder cocaine," the Obama administration wants to "close the 
gap in prison sentences given to those convicted of dealing crack 
versus powdered cocaine," because "mandatory-minimum-sentencing 
guidelines are so inherently unfair."

Lest we forget, crack is a cheap, crude, highly potent and extremely 
addictive form of cocaine that in the early 1980s was sold primarily 
by black drug dealers to poor black neighborhoods.

In 1986, African-American Congressman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., stating 
that crack was destroying the black community, helped craft 
guidelines that increased penalties for individuals convicted of 
crack-related crimes. The added protection of the law, demanded by 
the black community, has worked extremely well.

Now those unfamiliar with the origins of this law protest that it's 
racist and unfair because so many of those prosecuted have been 
black. But will repealing the law hurt or help?

Sandra S. Bennett

La Center
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