Remember, correlation does not mean causation.
Racists can easily use these statistics for the
reverse arguments. If blacks are imprisoned 19 times
more than whites, it must follow that they're breaking
the law more, right?
I know it doesn't; such an argument would commit the
same mistake you are making. What you need to do is
answer two questions at once: At what rates are whites
and blacks imprisoned/arrested for drug use, and at
what rates do whites and blacks actually use drugs?
If whites and blacks use drugs equally, but blacks get
arrested far more often, well, then you'd have
something.
Someone actually posted more detailed statistics
earlier, but I don't think anyone cared. We're more
interested in arguing in favor of our personal beliefs
here than in listening to facts.
Regardless, the statistics don't reflect a lot of
other issues, either, such as economic background,
location, and other nurturing factors. But please,
let's not get into a nature vs. nurture discussion.
I'd rather read more messages about AE vs. Plaid or
Kid606 vs. The World than IDM-l vs. Drugs!
--- Ryan Schilling <ryanschilling@subdimension.com>
wrote:
quoted 6 lines Yeah, racist. Here in Colorado, blacks are
> Yeah, racist. Here in Colorado, blacks are
> imprisoned at a rate 19 times
> higher than whites, according to a report released a
> few weeks ago. A lot
> of this stems from inequities b/w the cocaine and
> crack laws.
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