Comments on: Thank Sen. Webb for his efforts on prison reform

By: Myth

Myth — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:42:48 +0000

I understand the very valid points that you are making and it would be stupid to not agree with you. However, what is unspoken here is that our elected African American representatives have no real clout in influencing the mind set of a racist country and change will come very slowly. This is unfortunate. If minority representation cannot make any significant changes even though they are controlling many of the major congressional committees is I guess the reality we face. If they could have made mindset changes then changes to the criminal justice system would have occured long ago. The criminal justice system is the epitome of institutional racism in America. Why do you think that the majority of a like-minded Congress AND a country afraid of black men are going to change the laws now? The drug trade and prison systems are lucrative and AA men are its biggest victims.

Why then does it take 18 months? Is that the timeframe that it takes to wear down the minds of this likeminded group? Or is it that maybe it will take the next 2 years for our majority country to catch up to “real” change? Since it is widely believed the Webb is the great white hope of Criminal Justice reform, so be it, I say it still remains to be seen. We gotta “study: the overstudied-issue and commission the overly-commissioned issue more to figure out how to convince a racist, scared-of-black-men nation that it's gonna be okay if we let “them” out of prison. We have to set up “new” reforms to further demean the self-confidence of AA men. The whole system is so disheartnening. “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up, fester, sag, rot, run…nothing positive, eh?

But, the glass MAY just be half-full, we'll see. Glad you're optimistic. GO WEBB…we're with you, if you can't do it, it won't happen; so, go get em.

By: rikyrah

rikyrah — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:33:31 +0000

EVENING OPEN THREAD IS UP!!

By: gabrielrey

gabrielrey — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:25:31 +0000

Hi, this is Gabriel from ColorOfChange.

I think that what Webb is doing is helpful in that it throws a really big stake in the ground in declaring that the overall system and we need to re-evaluate our entire approach. Of course we know this already, but the fact that a U.S. senator is saying it, and trying to spark a big conversation about it in the senate, is new. While a lot of us have known for a long time that the justice system is broke, that's not quite a mainstream position yet — but Webb is helping it become one. This has the potential to open up a lot of political space for good solutions to actually get the kind of consideration they deserve, and hopefully become a reality. By supporting what Webb is doing right now, we can keep this conversation elevated and help create the space for real, big and long-lasting change. It's only the first step in what will certainly be a long fight.

By: Myth

Myth — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:24:15 +0000

But 18 months? We know what needs to be done so why “Commission” the process again? Black Caucus leaders NOW have bills pending in Congress that could immediately reform the system. I just don't think that it needs another study, its just time to act.

By: RiPPa

RiPPa — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:39:35 +0000

Our culture has drastically changed since the 80's when it comes to crime and punishment. Sadly, this is a direct result of free market economic policies as championed by conservatives. It is high time that steps are taken to reform and roll back some of the most draconian treatent of human bein gs in this country.

By: TruthSeeker

TruthSeeker — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:25:26 +0000

Cruel and inhumane…

But nobody cares about criminals…

We just want to punish.