Mass Incarceration in the Age of Trump
By Amelie Lyons
In a day and age where a presidential candidate
(albeit a profoundly incompetent one) is saying that
Mexico is “sending people [to the US] that have lots of
problems…they are bringing drugs, and bringing
crime, and they’re rapists,” and has really high approval
ratings (among the general population), it is important
to look at how the acceptance of stereotypes like these
are influencing the Latino population of the US. While
Trump was referring specifically to illegal immigrants
coming from Mexico, these stereotypes, and the assumption that being Latino meaning being a criminal,
are profoundly built into the US legal system.
“Mass Incarceration” has been a buzzword in
recent years, inspiring outrage, protests and numerous
books. However, often the focus of the outrage has been
from and in support of the black community. That outrage and support is well-deserved, as mass incarceration does heavily affect black Americans, especially
men. It is important though, that its effects on the Latino
population likewise be noted. As Aaron Cantú, a writer
for latinorebels.com said, “…while a number of influential African-Americans have spoken out vehemently
against mass incarceration, Latino leaders have proven
inept at mirroring this outrage. Overall, our leaders
have failed to take a bold stance on policies that have
wrought unspeakable damage upon our people….”
The data is astounding. As of 2012, 1,822 per
100,000 Latinos were incarcerated, a rate nearly 40%
higher than whites. One in three prisoners held in federal prisons is Latino. Latinos are four times as likely as
whites to end up in prison. Of course, people like to say
maybe they’re just more likely to commit crimes than
white people. That’s simply not true when you look at
drug related arrests. In New York City alone Latinos are
arrested almost four times as often as whites for drug
possession, despite government records which consistently show whites are more likely than any other racial
or ethnic group to use or sell drugs. Similarly disproportionate findings are replicated in many other major
cities.
Where then, is the outrage from the le Y\