https://twitter.com/samswey/status/865602050209357825
QuoteI thought I understood racism and mass incarceration. But nothing prepared me for what I saw in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (1/x)
QuoteSome background: Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the *world.* Within that, black people are locked up at much higher rates
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DAM9AZfUAAQOz2F.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DAM9AZiUMAMhX9P.jpg)
QuoteSo I was in theory prepared to see some things. I just didn't know what I would see or how I would experience it.
QuoteFirst thing I did in Baton Rouge was attend a meeting at state capitol building. I didn't take pics, so I'm using online pics to illustrate.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DAM-tXtUMAEn8Dg.jpg)
QuoteI was there to make the case for state legislators to change laws that make Louisiana the hardest state to hold police accountable within.
LA gives police a *month* before being questioned for killing someone and makes police chiefs classified employees making hard to fire them.
I was informed almost everyone controlling the state government is former police or corrections or connected to it. It's a huge industry.
So I'm in the capitol, watching the state legislators moving around. Mostly middle aged white men with blazers, khakis. They're in charge.
And *then* I noticed that all the people serving food, cleaning, printing papers IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE are prisoners.
QuoteI didn't take pictures. But pictures are available online. Here are some.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DANBodKVYAAt31F.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DANBodPUAAAto2D.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DANBodLVwAADM5A.jpg)
QuoteThere was also a correctional guard "overseeing" them. A white man. Overweight. It was straight out of a movie on slavery.
The white (almost all Republican) legislators work to maintain this system while black prisoners are right there. Watching. Working.
QuoteBut it goes deeper. They also work in the governor's mansion. You know, the one that looks like this.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DANCyR6U0AAQiNo.jpg)
:omgwatshappening: :omgwatshappening: :omgwatshappening: :omgwatshappening: :omgwatshappening:
QuoteI'm still processing the experience. This was, to me, surreal. Black folks I talked to were matter of fact, unfazed. It's the reality there.
QuoteOf course, that's the tip of the iceberg. Can go much deeper. Lookup Angola state penitentiary in Louisiana and its history, for example.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DANFH-aVYAEwaY1.jpg)
QuoteSpecifically, that its viewed as a *privilege* for prisoners to be chosen to work in the state legislature, getting paid next to nothing.
It's better than the work outside, on the prison grounds. In the fields instead of being in the house.
It's all right there. In 2017. In the governor's mansion. In the state legislature. In the fields. Slavery, by another name.
What are we supposed to think about the legislators there? Interacting with prisoners every day. Getting served food, papers printed, etc.
How do we change these systems when they're all so entrenched? The people in power are all part of it, benefitting from it.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DANBodPUAAAto2D.jpg)
:omgwatshappening:
SDHLKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJKJJJJ :fuming: this is serious and im trying not to laugh at that pic.
This reminds me to watch that "13" documentary
You should watch "13th" on Netflix
It brings awareness to all of this
Quote from: L0NZ. on May 19, 2017, 03:11:13 PM
This reminds me to watch that "13" documentary
ffycfucudyfc
>><<<
Quote from: GLO' the Baptist on May 19, 2017, 03:12:33 PM
You should watch "13th" on Netflix
It brings awareness to all of this
ima need to watch tomorrow night. Cause... :diddraispoot:
this is creepy.
neat
Gonna check 13 out a lil later then
They make them puck cotton on farm as well SMH
What kind of work are they doing in the fields?
Quote from: FlightMedic on May 19, 2017, 03:31:04 PM
They make them pick cotton on farm as well SMH
You have GOT to be kidding me.
Quote from: Baph al Mana. on May 19, 2017, 03:13:30 PM
Quote from: GLO' the Baptist on May 19, 2017, 03:12:33 PM
You should watch "13th" on Netflix
It brings awareness to all of this
ima need to watch tomorrow night. Cause... :diddraispoot:
this is creepy.
It's so good
And please watch the Khalif Browder special as well
It's chilling
That 'Get Out' smile had me feeling some type of way :'(
But yeah this is so true
Slavery never ended. Mass incarceration is a HUGE business.
(https://i.imgur.com/M3Yq1RJ.jpg)
What's even more disheartening is hearing about the shit going on there
(https://i.imgur.com/0MMSd2H.png)
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/05/12/louisiana-can-t-afford-to-pay-for-jailhouse-lawyers-so-inmates-are-pleading-guilty?via=twitter_page
Quote from: GLO' the Baptist on May 19, 2017, 03:12:33 PM
You should watch "13th" on Netflix
It brings awareness to all of this
!!!
First thing I thought of reading this thread
Quote from: 'ck on May 19, 2017, 03:12:33 PM
You should watch "13th" on Netflix
It brings awareness to all of this
i really fucking can't