More Legal Fuckery

The U.S. Sentencing Commission decreased federal prison terms for crack cocaine offenses earlier this month. However sentencing for crack-cocaine offenses are still 100 times harsher than similar powder cocaine offenses -- an egregious disparity that remains a major issue among civil rights activists and politicians alike.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, a first-time offense of possession of just five grams of crack receives a felony sentence of at least five years in prison without parole. Where a first-time offense of 499 grams of powder cocaine, a misdemeanor, could qualify for probation with no time at all in jail.

The 100 to 1 sentencing guidelines, date back to the 1986 and 1988 Anti-Drug Abuse Acts where lawmakers established excessive mandatory jail sentences as a reaction to the crack epidemic of the 80's.

The sentencing disparity only masks racial discrimination that still occurs in our legal system everyday. In 2006, blacks constituted 82% of those sentenced under federal crack cocaine laws while whites constituted only 8.8% despite the fact that more than 66% of people who use crack cocaine are white.(1)

Sentencing guidelines have relaxed slightly, but not nearly enough to reflect justice. Take action by sending this letter to your congressperson or senator.

(1)US Sentencing Commission, Special Report to Congress: Cocaine and Federal Sentencing Policy. (Washington, DC: US Sentencing Commission, May 2007)

Download: 2pac - Changes

Hammer > Tribe ?

I've been wrestling with my feelings about the direction of hip-hop for the past couple years. On one hand, the expansion of the music into the mainstream is great in terms presenting opportunities. The intent of the music is to uplift and to celebrate according to my boy Justin. He continues that hip-hop has reached an international scale where it has become the face of young America and an alternative to Bush's America.

But on the other hand, its important that the culture stay true to its roots. As the garbage poppy hip-hop is promoted, the positive, conscious rap is further neutered. People say that there is no market for socially conscious music are letting the record industry pull the wool over their eyes. The cream rises to the top unless outside influences (Viacom, Univesal Music, Clear Channel, Radio 1) keep pumping out ignorant shit.

Lupe Fiasco was quoted in Vibe stating:

"[Tribe] didn’t sell 10 million records, so why would people think they had a blanket on the world like that? MC Hammer was way more popular to me than Tribe Called Quest."

The quote was taken out of context to make Lupe look like an asshole, but the point still resonates. Hip-hop has become a mainstream, populous culture with a bunch of idiots in front making everybody look bad. Hotness is determined by record sales and MTV (don't even get me started on that bogus 'Best Rapper' list). What hip-hop needs now is a restoration of perspective and culture.

So kids, keep the music alive. Stop listening to trash!

Download: 2Pac - Old School