The difference in how the two have been handled by law enforcement and court systems have long been the target of public outcry, as the reasons mainly point to racism. It is not unknown that powder cocaine is a much more expensive addiction, lending it's name to (mainly white) celebrities and upper society types. While crack cocaine is reportedly cheap and it's users are stereotypically lower income and, even homeless individuals. These are the people who can't afford attorneys, or bail. Remember when Whitney Houston declared that "crack is wack!" She didn't say a thing about that white powder though, did she?
Though, we feel there's more of an economic contrast, rather than a racial one; it's probably safe to say the two go hand-in-hand here. It must also be mentioned that 80% of crack offenders have been Black. Not something gone unnoticed when the original crack possession laws went into effect in 1986. At that time, the drug was surging in poor (mainly Black) neighborhoods.
Obama didn't speak as he signed the law, but he was quoted as saying, the new legislation would “help right a longstanding wrong” and was “the right thing to do.” Gotta love him! Hmph. Seems they should enforce this law retroactively, especially for the recently incarcerated. But we know that won't happen. Bet people who were convicted on the old law are pissedddd! [NY Times]
28grams...damn with that much my nose would look like Ricky Bell from New Edition!!! Speaking of New Edition, where's Bobby and Ms. Houston??
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