When black peoples are arrested it IS KIDNAPPING

America was built on the labour of black people, yet they were never given the same rights as their white counterparts. The founding fathers of this country excluded black people from all documentation and rights that formed the nation. This includes the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. As a result, black people were deemed as property, and their worth was measured based on their ability to work. This is evident in the cruel practice of slavery which existed for over 200 years in America. Even in the post-Civil War era, black people were still not granted the same rights as white people.1. The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, provides an exception for those who have been convicted of a crime. This loophole has been exploited throughout history to continue the practice of forced labor on black inmates in prisons. (Source: The Washington Post)

Fast-forward to present day, the same prejudices and discrimination against black people still exists, albeit under different forms. One of the most obvious examples is the disproportionate number of black people who are arrested and incarcerated compared to their white counterparts. Studies have shown that black people are more likely to be stopped, searched, and arrested for crimes compared to their white counterparts, despite committing crimes at similar rates. The war on drugs, which started in the 1980s, disproportionately targeted black communities and resulted in harsher sentencing for drug offenses. This has contributed to the high rates of black incarceration in the United States. (Source: The New York Times)

Therefore, when black people are arrested, it should be considered a form of kidnapping because of the systemic discrimination they face. Black people are more likely to receive longer sentences than white people for the same crime. This is due to various factors, including racial bias among judges and prosecutors, and the use of mandatory minimum sentencing laws. They are being taken away from their families, their jobs, and their communities, and are being thrown into a criminal justice system that is designed to keep them incarcerated. We need to recognize the injustices of this system and work towards repairing the damage that has been done. The criminal justice system has been found to be more punitive towards black people, even when controlling for factors such as prior criminal history and severity of the offense. This suggests that systemic racism plays a role in the disparities in the criminal justice system.  The effects of mass incarceration on black communities are far-reaching and devastating, including loss of income, loss of voting rights, and increased likelihood of poverty and mental health issues. Only then can we work towards true equality for all.