Well my Radio Userland trial was coming to an end and I decided to go ahead and purchase a year long license.  In the last week or so I feel like I am getting into the swing of the kind of blogging I am enjoying and I over the next week I will tweak the design and structure of this site to better reflect that.  So if you see goofy or redundant things, know that I'm in transition.

9:31:35 PM    

of what folks mean when they claim that the US is still a racist country. 

In the last several weeks, I've seen some bloggers commenting on efforts to allow convicted felons to vote after they've served their sentence.  When I saw those posts, I noted it and thought to myself, "Oh yeah, ok.  I think that's a good idea.  If someone has paid their debt, then I cannot imagine forbidding someone from exercizing their constitutional right to vote."  But the issue did not ignite my passion for social justice and I didn't do any further exploration.  Plenty of other stuff on my plate.

Now, listening to the Candidates Forum at the NAACP convention the third question presented to the candidates is on just this issue.  And wham, like getting hit by a bucket of ice water I get it. 

A quick google for "percentage black americans prison" brings up the AP's Disproportionate Share of Prison Inmates are Black from July 18, 2001.  For example:

In data released yesterday for South Carolina, 68 percent of men between the ages of 18 and 64 in correctional institutions were African-American. Blacks made up 27 percent of the state's total population in the same age group.

And from Drug War Facts: Race, Prison and Drug Laws:

1.46 million black men out of a total voting population of 10.4 million have lost their right to vote due to felony convictions.

Source: Thomas, P., "Study Suggests Black Male Prison Rate Impinges on Political Process," The Washington Post (January 30, 1997), p. A3.

Of course, ensuring that convicted felons can regain their right to vote is an issue the NAACP cares about. 

And it is a priviledge of my white skin that I did not make that connection.   

Just in case you don't, I'll try to spell it out:

There is evidence to indicate that a disproportionate percentage of persons of color are behind bars [particularly for drug offenses].

There is evidence to indicate that this is in part due to systemic inequalities in the way law enforcement and the judicial system are applied.  

These systemic inequalities have the net result of disproportionately disenfranchising people of color.

That, friends, is racism in action.

5:58:19 PM    

I am currently listening to the '04 Dems at Monday's NAACP Presidential Candidate Forum.  How wonderful that the internet makes this kind of stuff available. Months and months and months before I would normally have the opportunity to hear candidates face off and answer the same questions as one another side-by-side, I can sit at home and listen. 

After hearing all the opening remarks so far, I have to say first: that Al Sharpton is wonderful and while I don't think he is a viable candidate, I am glad he is in there being heard right now.  Second, I don't give a flying fig what any political analyst says.  Dean has a damn good chance. 

5:21:04 PM    

Seen at Howard Dean's Blog for America:

I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.           

Abraham Lincoln

4:38:59 PM    

Thanks to Dave at  Seeing the Forest for the heads up on this post at Howard Dean's  Blog for America.

While I am delighted in Dean's hold no punches, straight-talking so far, I do hope he is treading extremely carefully.  If he [or any of the '04 Dems] overreach on this one it will come back to bite them badly.

4:30:43 PM    

TLG is watching too much TV and we are tripping over piles of dirty laundry.  AC or no AC it is time for me to pry myself away from the monitor and engage with life 3D. 

But I will be following this closely. 

10:19:32 AM    

Democrats are posed to vote unanimously against the redesign, but some Republicans are on the fence. If you haven't contacted your Rep yet, today would be a great day to do so.  For a summary of the issue see this:

House G.O.P. Delays Vote on Remaking Head Start

By DIANA JEAN SCHEMO

WASHINGTON, July 17 — Facing a possible defeat in the House of Representatives, Republicans postponed a vote today on a bill to redesign Head Start, the popular preschool program for children in poverty.

Key Republicans said the delay was caused by scheduling difficulties and a low turnout expected on Friday among Republicans. They vowed to bring the bill back next week, when more members would be available to vote.

But a statement released today by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce also indicated some concern among the Republican leadership in assuring a comfortable margin of victory. It said Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, chairman of the committee, and Representative Michael N. Castle of Delaware, the sponsor of the Head Start bill, "will use the additional time" before next week's vote "to continue to build support for final passage of the bill."

[...]

Complete article, here.

Resources to help you take action, here  .

9:34:27 AM    

I will not jump to conclusions.  I will not jump to conclusions.

But this is pretty damn scary. More here.

12:51:24 AM