Why are black men being jailed

While institutionalized racism does still permeate throughout our society, I do not believe it to be the most significant cause of the inflated number of black males in the United States prison system. It is hard to argue that some police officers do not participate in racist and antiquated practices such as profiling and assuming guilt until proven otherwise, but these practices alone are not the reason that the prisons are filled with disproportionate numbers of black males.

Instead, I suggest an alternative. Throughout American history African American individuals of lower socioeconomic status have aggregated together in a system of informal segregation. Over time these people have gathered partially because they face similar challenges and are better equipped to face them together as a community, but also because such gathering is made possible by the existence of low income, subsidized housing. Most of the individuals living in these communities are law abiding citizens who live in this area simply to make use of the government’s assistance, some however who seek a fast exit from these conditions turn to a life a crime. These often black individuals live in close proximity to those who think like themselves, those bitter at the socioeconomic status cast on them by society, and are encouraged by those around them who feel the same way. Such individuals often see crime as the only option of exiting their current societal status and these activities are encouraged by the few like minded individuals around them also living in government subsidized housing.

It is indisputable that a small number of police officers do engage in racist profiling activities, but this is not the most significant cause of African American incarcerations. Instead it is the existence of a large number of these individuals living close together in low socioeconomic housing and a small number of such people bitter at society for the cast they were given.