Mass Incarceration – Melanoid Nation Foundation

Age of Law and Order Makes an Official Comeback

Melanoid Nation — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 13:31:03 +0000

By Amy Lukau

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will resume doing business with private prisons. This announcement came Thursday, as attorney general, Jeff Sessions wrote a memo saying phasing out private prison use “changed long-standing policy and practice” and “impaired” the ability of the Bureau of Prisons “to meet the future needs of the federal correctional system.”

The directive issued by the Obama administration instructing the DOJ to curtail the use of private prisons is officially obsolete.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union private prisons hold approximately 18 percent of federal prisoners and 7 percent of state prisoners.

Sally Yates, former deputy attorney general indicated private prisons “simply do not provide the same level of correctional services, programs, and resources; they do not save substantially on costs; and as noted in a recent report by the Department’s Office of Inspector General, they do not maintain the same level of safety and security.”

Nancy Reagan: Say No To Drugs, But Yes To Mass Incarceration

Melanoid Nation — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:16:35 +0000

Former United States First Lady Nancy Reagan, regarded by the dominant society, as one of the most influential women to hold the position, passed away earlier this week at the age of 94. She will be remembered for many things, especially for those who look back fondly at the Reagan Era. But among the Melanated population, what she perhaps will best be remembered for is the “Just Say No” campaign against drug abuse–which is possibly the biggest contradiction ever presented in American politics.

The Reagan’s served two terms in the White House from 1981 to 1989, but the 2nd term is where things begin to pick up. In 1986, Reagan signed the National Crusade for a Drug-Free America, an anti-drug abuse bill that took a zero-tolerance approach to drug use and distribution. It caused America’s incarceration rate to skyrocket. Tough sentencing remained the weapon of choice in the fight against drugs for decades. In an effort to support her husband, Nancy began going into schools across the country telling children about the dangers of drug abuse. And in a weird twist of fate, First Lady Reagan was asked what should someone say if they’re offered drugs. Her answer was, “Just Say No.” and like that, history was made. However, the effectiveness of the “Just Say No” campaign has been a subject of debate, because the numbers say that cocaine use among high school students dropped from 6% down to 4% in 1987, but that doesn’t factor in the way that the Crack Epidemic hit the country in 1986.

Mrs. Reagan is actually quoted as saying, “Drug criminals are ingenious.” Then she added. “They work every day to plot a new and better way to steal children’s lives, just as they’ve done by creating crack.” Now, here’s where the irony comes into play. Because on the direct orders of her husband, President Ronald Reagan, the CIA paid the Nicaraguan Contras for bringing cocaine into America, even saying that the reasoning for the deal being made was because the people of Nicaragua were “particularly hard pressed for financial support” because aid from the U.S. had recently ceased. Think about that for a second; the United States paid for, handsomely by the way, the transporting of cocaine into their own country because someone else was struggling financially.

But, the biggest price of all was the lives of young Black people that were lost to this epidemic. Between the years of 1984 to 1989, the homicide rate for Black males between the ages of 14-24 more than doubled. More times than not, the crimes that were committed were from a direct result of this war that the U.S. government had people of African decent wage against their own kind. Once crack became embedded into the communities, it became all about survival of the fittest. Dealers would protect their corner at all costs, even if that meant killing their own brother. Also during this time, our community was hit with a huge increase in fetal deaths, “crack babies”, and many of our babies funneling through the foster care system. On top of that, many crack users were young and unemployed school dropouts who were socially disorganized and lack family support systems.

The death rate wasn’t the only thing that climbed. During this stretch of the mid to late 80’s, the incarceration of Black males also skyrocketed. The prison system had been transformed into a POW camp for America’s “War on Drugs”, which led to an era of tough-on-crime rhetoric and draconian policies that swelled the United States prison population with young Black males in particular. From 1985 to 1988, the American prison population of drug offenders increased from 38,900 to 224,900 with African American males at the top. Imprisonment rates for Black males were 3.8 to 10.5 times greater at each age group than white males and 1.4 to 3.1 times greater than rates for Hispanic males, the 2nd highest group.

It’s statistics like this that make Nancy Reagan’s message (as seen in the video below) seem even more absurd.

Lance Richardson

Random Black Men In Memphis Can Now Be Arrested Because of Gang Injunctions

Melanoid Nation — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 20:46:44 +0000

Law enforcement officials in Memphis, TN are now resorting to more aggressive measures to incarcerate Melanoid men.

Earlier this week, an article was published on WREG (an NBC affiliate in Memphis)’s website, which reported the Memphis police’s alleged crackdown on crime in the Binghampton area of Memphis.

Tuesday (January 26), court injunctions were placed on two gangs, the Vicelords and the Grape Street Crips.

To the uninformed masses, this would appear to be a noble deed committed by the Memphis police. On the contrary, gang injunctions have had a notorious history of singling out innocent Black males (just because they randomly knew of a gang member, for example), and often gives municipalities in urban areas across the U.S. reason to gentrify traditionally Black neighborhoods.

We will continue to keep you informed of further developments as it pertains to this story.

B. Clark

Black Church Works With Law Enforcement To Turn In People With Warrants

Melanoid Nation — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 18:15:37 +0000

NASHVILLE, TN — Perhaps more than any other time in history, Melanoid people have little to no reason to trust or believe the empty promises of law enforcement in light of the countless murders of innocent men, women, and children, one church wants to be that exception to Black Society’s rule in regards to our distrust of law enforcement. Galilee Missionary Baptist Church has opted to cooperate with law enforcement to participate in a highly questionable initiative, named Fugitive Safe Surrender.

The initiative, which was authorized by Congress in 2006, states on its website that it “is a unique, creative, and highly successful, initiative that encourages persons wanted for non-violent felony or misdemeanor crimes to voluntarily surrender to the law in a faith-based or other neutral setting”

Last week (Sept. 18-19), dozens of people showed up at the church before the event’s 9:00 A.M. opening, in hopes of having their slates cleaned by law enforcement, which included district attorneys and judges who were on hand to participate in the event as well. Only after confessing their crimes were the predominantly Black participants then subject to “favorable consideration for surrendering” by the law enforcement officials on hand.

According to News 2 (WKRN in Nashville), close to 30 people had come close to surrender, with half of them doing so within the first 30 minutes of the event…and this all occurred on the first day of a two day event. Dr. William Harris, pastor of the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, said that 563 people turned themselves in during 2007’s Fugitive Safe Surrender program. Law enforcement also highly encouraged individuals to turn in any firearms and drugs that they may have in their possession as well.

What’s interesting about this story is that Black churches will eagerly participate in initiatives such as Fugitive Safe Surrender where many more Melanoid people find themselves being railroaded into incarceration, yet refuse having anything to do with addressing the roots of Black Society’s issue (among a plethora of other issues) of mass incarceration in the first place.

Not only were people encouraged to turn themselves in, they were also compensated for doing so. The reward you ask? A $10 gift card to a local gas station (Mapco).

Here is a link to the original story.

B. Clark

Just Due: Possible Reparation Provision Scenarios for Black America

Melanoid Nation — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 18:11:54 +0000

In Black Society, the case for reparations has carried much weight and well-deserved validity for many years. The proverbial “40 Acres and a Mule” concept has been one that has been proposed to Black America since the abolishing of institutional slavery in 1865. Of course, this was the dominant society’s promise given to Black America in the wake of over 200 years worth of slave labor, and the gruesome human rights practices that stemmed from it.

Surprisingly, there have been many of Black Society’s notable figures who have taken an opposing stance on reparations for the descendants of Melanoid people who served as slaves to the wealthy white slave owners. Concurrently, white supremacists–and suspected white supremacists alike–are vehemently against Black America’s case for reparations as compensation for our racial group’s subjugation in this country.

In spite of whether detractors of reparations exist or not, the fact of the matter is that slavery in America was an oppressive and demonic institution that has traumatized the descendants of its immediate victims to this very day. That being stated, Those who are pro-reparations often debate what we in Black America should receive as stipulations of what is due to us. Here are a few suggestions, listed below:

1. Counseling/Therapy

As previously mentioned, slavery “did a number” on us in Black Society, and because of the system of racism/white supremacy that exists to this very day, our overall morale is severely wounded, despite recent attempts to recover from the lingering effects of systematic white supremacy. Because of this, counselors of our sorts should be at our disposal to aid us in our attempts to recoup our historic greatness as a people.

2. Money

This is hands down the most popular–and obvious–proposed provision of reparations due to Black America. With non-Black groups in America such as the Japanese already having received financial compensation for their own collective mistreatment, reparations in the form of cash payments could definitely serve as a direct path to empowerment for Black America.

3. Real Estate

The supposed “American Dream” includes home/land ownership. With groups such as the Native American Indians having received land allotments in the form of reservations which include wealth-generating businesses such as casinos and hotels, Melanoid people in this country deserve similar compensation. With gentrification posing as one of the primary factors for Melanoid people being shut out of neighborhoods and cities across the country, the right to own our own shares of real estate shouldn’t be in question. After all, the same people who cultivated the land of America (Black people working under free slave labor) are entitled to the land as well.

4. Instant Credit Repair

Although the United States as a corporate entity recently saw a reduction in its credit rating, its individual citizens are still encouraged–and in many cases required–to maintain excellent credit. For Black America, credit repair for those in dire need of it would enable us to do anything from buying a home to starting our own businesses, thus putting us back in the race to be competitive with our counterparts in the dominant American society.

5. Business Start-up Initiatives

In order for Melanoid people to protect ourselves from a recently heightened level of racism/white supremacy here in the States, it has been widely recognized and agreed that building an economic base isn’t a luxury, it is necessary. With other racial groups setting up shop with their businesses in the States going through little or no red tape involved, every other group has a leg up on Black America when it comes to creating the necessary businesses that constitute a viable economy in their respective communities.

6. True Rehabilitation of Blacks Returning to Society

Melanoid people in this country are by far the most affected group of people who suffer from mass incarceration. There are an overwhelming number of Blacks who are contrite about their former lives on the “other side of the law”, and seek to start new chapters in their lives as productive and beneficial members to society upon their return from the prisons. It is wrongfully assumed that the countless institutions across the country “rehabilitate” criminals, when we in fact know this to be false. The numerous Brothers and Sisters who return home from incarceration often find themselves entrapped in the same vicious cycle that saw them get “locked up” before. The solution? Provide sustainable options for these unfortunate victims of mass-incarceration in the form of an extensive (and accredited) college educations, an abundance of trade programs, job placement services, in addition to a host of other legitimate incentives for true rehabilitation….BEFORE their release from prison. This properly prepares them for society, and enables them to avoid the pitfalls that polluted the environments they were brought up in.

7. Protection From Race Soldiers

Since the long-standing problem of law enforcement officials murdering Melanoid people en masse has garnered global exposure, it is only fitting that policies be implemented to specifically eliminate the unjust killings of innocent Melanoid people. If animals such as the bald eagle are protected by law, then it is only fitting that human beings in danger of being eradicated–such as Melanoid people in this country–be protected as well.

The items listed above are a few scenarios of Melanoid receiving our well-deserved reparation compensation as a result of centuries of subjugation under such an unjust and murderous system of racism/white supremacy. A consensus has been reached in Black Society that we were by far the most mistreated group of people to ever reach the shores of the U.S. To further state our claim, this country was built off of our blood, sweat, tears, and intellect. It’s time to pay up, America.

B. Clark

Friend Of Sandra Bland Says She Was ‘In Good Spirits’ Leading Up To Her Death

Melanoid Nation — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 18:12:51 +0000

Something’s not adding up correctly.

Sandra Bland, the Melanoid woman whose body was found in her jail cell on Monday, July 13th, died as a result of what appeared to be a modern day lynching. The Naperville, IL native who made her way to Texas in pursuit of a job opportunity, and was arrested by Waller County (TX) cops at a traffic stop.

Here is the video of Sandra Bland’s arrest.

Ms. Bland, who used the power of social media to be vocal on such issues pertaining to Black Society, as evident in this video, was very open and sincere about the plight of Melanoid people in this racist/white supremacist society. However, authorities of Waller County, TX claim that her death was a suicide, and other people in the dominant society are implying that she suffered from depression based on a video that she recorded in March. You can see the video below.

As you can see below (on the left), she also showed spoke truth to power by changing her Facebook profile picture to a Melanoid Nation meme back in April:

Sandra Bland was fully aware of the current epidemic of police brutality towards Melanoid people, which prompted her to change her Facebook picture to this meme back in April.

Those who knew Ms. Bland best refuted claims of her being depressed and suicidal. LaVaughn Mosley, her friend and mentor, said the following in regards to her deceased friend’s overall well-being:

“She was in good spirits. She was looking forward to what was next. She was making plans for the future, so there’s no way she was in a suicidal state.”

Although depression is a serious issue in Black Society, we must consider the fact that much of this stems from the lingering effects of long-term subjugation at the hands of systematic racism/white supremacy. We also understand that one of the tactics of white supremacists is to assassinate the character of any Melanoid person–dead or alive–who seeks to openly challenge their system. Despite whatever personal issues (such as depression) that Ms. Bland would speak on in her viral videos, could she have possibly been murdered by the white supremacist jail workers because of her unapologetic approach to Black issues and the love for her people?