or it least you failed to post it.

nowhere did the panthers suggest that there weren't folks that did not commit crimes. they just said that every Black person charged WITH a crime needs to get a new trial with a jury of their peers, member of their community.

is that really dead wrong?

my second point is...MOST PEOPLE THAT ARE IN PRISON ARE IN FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENSES. so your point about pedophiles and murderers is moot cuz no one is saying "let the serial killers stay free." your point about "pimps" is always moot because few ppl actually go to prison for facilitating prostitution. pimps are usually in jail for a drug related offense or a violent crime.

lastly, when we talk about criminalization of drug trafficking, we need to be explicitly clear about the drug trade. DEALERS DONT MAKE PPL USE DRUGS. if there were no Black dealers, Black ppl will use illicit drugs. i'm of the opinion that we need to have a better (and by better, i mean more honest and non-condemning) conversation on why folks use drugs. simply ask two questions, "what's a drug?" and "are all drugs bad?"

the real problem with the drug trade, imo, is the violence that surrounds it. that's what's truly detrimental to the community.