The Prison Fix

No, not incarcerating a criminal for the purpose of rehabilitation and disciplining. R.W. Gilmore’s Golden Gulag identifies the “prison fix” as a method of recuperating a county/area’s economy. The economy could be at a low for a multitude of reasons, but the
fix is universal in its application. Specifically, Gilmore analyzes this fix in California throughout the passed century, more specifically in the town of Corcoran (Kings County). The prison fix came as a solution to a slow economy, heavily influenced by the cotton and agricultural industry. From the early 20th century, now-large “agribusiness” firms began their journey to a technically legal monopolization of the cotton industry. In one instance, California legislature was convinced to legalize only one specific kind of cotton, thus allowing the large firms who used this cotton to effectively stamp out smaller-scale family run agribusiness farms. This was nothing but playing dirty; it was definitely legal, but it was carried out with malicious intent.

This corrupt control that the larger agribusinesses gained undoubtedly led to the decline in the economy, at which point a proper solution was needed. Prisons were favorable because the more a town became a prison town, the more economic activity stays local. This would serve the purpose of of rebuilding that declining economy. Here we see why the city was so welcoming to the prisons. However, these would be new prisons; they would be empty, and thus needed to be filled. It is at this point where the general population gets a real taste of the shift in atmosphere. Stricter laws were enforced, in order to acquire new inmates. And, not far from fitting, a huge percentage of the population was Latino.

This long course, ending in the development of prison towns, highlights the negative repercussions of perpetuating prison culture. Firstly, how prisons would be constructed without any regard for a real demand in them, i.e, overpopulation of other prisons or rocketing conviction rates, or regard for a lack thereof. Second, it is almost flawless how this prison culture creates a new need, and then meets that own need, effectively developing itself. Following such a course will only further perpetuate prison culture that will stay not only in Corcoran, but expand elsewhere.

Hush up, Mr. Ferguson

Only until recently, Ferguson was nothing more than a friendly surname.

Many Americans might agree that Ferguson, Mississippi was not on their radar until Michael Brown’s death. Ferguson has become the stage for rioting and clashes between its police and citizens, in peaceful and later violent response to young Brown’s death. Ferguson has become more about the police’s response than the issue itself. Curfews have been enforced; airspace has been cleared to make room for police helicopters. We cannot make citizens live with such restraint and enforce this policy in the name of their own good. It is not the right means by which to address the obstacles that arise. The police’s abuse of authority is nothing shy of atrocious. However, this should not be misconstrued as condoning public violence. Such a response is unacceptable and unproductive.

Social media in 2014 has fostered the spread of the crisis in Ferguson. It has allowed many to voice there opinions and bring awareness to the situation. 

Here, we see a young man during protests, kneeling at the battlefront. Seeing such moving images straight from the scene of these atrocities strike shock in a reader; the shock that is necessary to start down the path of change, progress and justice.

The scene in Ferguson is the result of what Ta-Nehisi Coates identifies in The Case for Reparations. Coates outlines how the issue of race has followed our roots and affect us today. Racism stems from age old federal policy. However, one cannot hold America as a single entity responsible. Or rather, it can, but at this point we come to realize that America does not operate on its own; only we, as citizens, can effectively change the country to fit modern and moral standards. Only we can eliminate racism. It is a change that needs to be made on an individual level. Hereupon we will find the hecklers: “You can’t make someone change their views, America is a free country!” Yes, and with freedom only comes responsibility. Here, we have a responsibility to discuss what is far more than just a fly on America’s windshield.

We cannot wait until tomorrow, and the conversation cannot start itself.

Injustice in the City: Stop & Frisk

Gabriel Molina

 

The issue of stop and frisk is no new one in New York City. Stop and Frisk is a controversial method used by the NYPD, where New Yorkers are selected at random and stopped and frisked. This itself is not as problematic as much as is the real reason why it is so controversial; it is well known that minorities are targeted by the NYPD via stop and frisk. This is not to bash the NYPD, but rather those officers who wrongfully racially profile New Yorkers, particularly African-American and Latino youth. Statistics show that over 85% of those stopped are a part of one of these two minorities.

There is pressure put upon police officers by their superiors to meet a certain quota of stops every month. Of course, nowhere in the NYPD’s book of conduct does it say to target the before-mentioned minorities. However, the true injustice lies in the particular officers that utilize skin color to choose who to stop and frisk. Furthermore, the police department also subtly endorses racial profiling, via its punishment for not meeting the quota of stop and frisks every month. Typically, as stated by former police officers who speak out against this very injustice, officers who do not meet their quotas are placed in dangerous neighborhoods, during dangerous hours, to patrol the area alone. This way, they indirectly encourage officers to scope out the easy targets just to meet their quotas.

My own experience with this one is a unique one, i think. I am Hispanic and was born and raised in upper Manhattan, and thus have many Hispanic friends. However, I myself look more Caucasian, American, or of European origin. Because of this, i have witnessed my friends targeted by police officers from the sidelines; they only ever tell me to stay out of it, and never target me, because I don’t appear to be Hispanic as they “so obviously” do. The issue of stop and frisk continues to be one of the most controversial subjects in the city today. It is in our best interest, and that of our youth and therefore our future, to address this issue correctly.