John,
In 2020, the United States Sentencing Commission's Quick Facts — Crack Cocaine Trafficking Offenses report laid bare some stark racial disparities:
- 77.1% of convictions were Black
- 15.9% were Hispanic
- Just 6.3% were White
Raise Your Voice: Send A Letter to Your Local Newspaper Editor.
Additionally, the average sentence duration for crack cocaine offenses was a staggering 74 months, with 96.9% of the convicted individuals facing prison time. This inequity is not merely statistical; it represents lives decimated, families torn apart, and communities destabilized.
The War on Drugs has drained over $1 trillion out of America's coffers — funds that could have been more wisely invested in addressing the root causes of substance abuse and uplifting communities. Instead, these funds have perpetuated cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement.
The harrowing personal stories of individuals like Celia Colon* and Robert Wood further spotlight the unacceptable toll this policy takes. These are not isolated cases; they're part of an overarching narrative that perpetuates systemic racism.
Tell Your Local Newspaper Editor that You Support the EQUAL Act.
Passing the EQUAL Act is not just a policy change; it's an urgent human rights mandate. The legislation promises to level the playing field by creating a 1:1 sentencing ratio between crack and powder cocaine offenses. This could not only undo years of racial injustice but also redirect substantial funds toward community programs proven to reduce recidivism. After decades of destructive policies, it is time for Congress to right these wrongs. If we fail to act now we will lose the chance to end this racist law.
Click Here to Tell Your Newspaper Why You Support the EQUAL Act
The Senate Judiciary Committee must advance the EQUAL Act now, or the opportunity will slip away. We can no longer afford to let justice remain deferred. The moral arc of the universe only bends toward justice with intention and action.
In solidarity,
— Dream.Org
*P.S. If you have a subscription to the Chicago Tribune and want to take a deeper dive into the personal toll of this issue, read Celia Colon’s Op-Ed here.
