Blacks in California Are Divided Over Marijuana Measure

[Liberal_in_LA]

Blacks in California Are Divided Over Marijuana Measure

“I was a pastor on crack cocaine, sir,” said Mr. Allen, who says he has been sober for 11 years and now identifies himself as the bishop of the International Faith Based Coalition here. “Drugs have no religious preference.”

And while crack cocaine laid him low, Mr. Allen says his first drug of choice was marijuana. So it is that Mr. Allen and a cadre of other black pastors, priests and other religious leaders have bonded together in recent weeks to fight what they see as a potentially devastating blow to their communities: Proposition 19, the California ballot measure that would tax and regulate marijuana.

In doing so, Mr. Allen and his followers have opened a new, potentially crucial front in the battle over Proposition 19, pitting those afraid of more widespread use of the drug versus those who see legalization as “an exit strategy in the war on marijuana.”

Mr. Allen has been particularly critical of Alice A. Huffman, the president of the California branch of the N.A.A.C.P., who has been vocal in her support for the measure, casting it as a potential victory for civil rights that could help reduce the number of young black men jailed on marijuana-related offenses.

“I’m not encouraging anyone to recreationally use marijuana,” said Ms. Huffman. “I am simply focused on the injustice and the disparities in the criminal justice system.”

How black voters in California decide on Proposition 19, which would allow anyone 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of marijuana, could be critical to its success or failure. (At the moment, possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana, about an ounce, is punishable in most cases by up to six months in prison and a $500 fine.)

Blacks make up less than 10 percent of the population in California, but unlike two larger minority groups in the state where opinions on the measure are also split — Asians and Latinos — their “participation in elections is on par with their populations,” according to the California Voter Foundation, a nonprofit group here.

In the case of Proposition 19 — which is trailing narrowly in a recent Field Poll — appeals to that potential swing bloc have already begun, and the measure’s backers have been seeking out the support of prominent black leaders. Last week, proponents secured what they view as a major endorsement, that of Dr. Joycelyn Elders, the former United States surgeon general and the first black to hold that position.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/20/us/20pot.html?src=me

[RKP5637]

1. Removed after I saw the other posts. They saw through the article. I'm always

learning on DU!

[Bonobo]

2. Sub-text of this article actually is: (Even) Blacks in California Are Divided Over Marijuana Measure

It' a piece to allow white people to say "Well, if EVEN black people are against it (and we all know how much THEY like to smoke weed...) then maybe it truly ISN'T such a good idea."

I hate shoddy, easy to see through propaganda hit pieces. :smoke:

[marmar]

4. The article is loaded with racist subtext.

nt

[Bonobo]

7. I didn't even have to read it.

And I didn't read it.

My radar is so finely tuned at this point that it pops out like a neon sign.

Sometimes flash inspirational observations are the trues and most accurate.

There is no REASON for such a headline if it didn't play to people's preconceived ideas.

It is mind-control sorcery and, as such, I don't consume it, merely point it out.

[REP]

5. Ooo, good point

I forgot that those hive-minded black people were all smoking pot 24/7 too. 'cause nobody else likes pot. Nope.

:sarcasm: in case I wasn't clear. I think the article sucks on many many levels.

[dionysus]

6. wow. now that you mention it... i think you nailed it.

:thumbsup:

[Bonobo]

9. They did the same thing when Obama was running in the primaries.

HEADLINE: "(Even) Black people disagree with some of Obama's policies/don't support him."

WHITE IN THE CLOSET RACIST: "Oh gee, I just knew there was something wrong with the guy. Even his own people don't support him."

[dionysus]

16. in my quick skim of the article, i didn't realize it, but once i read it again after seeing your

post... brought clarity into the situation :)

on edit, i thought the idea of a friggin ex-crackhead bitching about herb was ridiculous, but i didn't make the connection.

[RKP5637]

12. Thanks!!! Please see #1.

:yourock:

[XemaSab]

13. Word up

n/t

[REP]

3. zOMG!!11 Black people are individuals who don't have a hive mind?

I'm SHOCKED.

[Gravel Democrat]

8. yes i read that wrong : edit

OOOPS I got MY facts wrong or read text wrong or something so I stand corrected.

But here is an important viewpoint nonetheless

Here's dragonflys take on Proposition 19 (if that's her pic on the link she's black):

i am a long-time pro-marijuana activist and professional stoner. i travel the world, find the best ganja, smoke it, and write about it for pot magazines (cannabis culture magazine, west coast cannabis, and skunk). i am the global ganja correspondent for "cannabis planet," a tv news show focused on cannabis news around the world. follow my column, "getting high with dragonfly," in which every month i evaluate a different strain.

WHY PRO-POT ACTIVISTS OPPOSE THE 2010 TAX CANNABIS INITIATIVE: 18 REASONS TO VOTE KNOW
by dragonfly
http://votetaxcannabis2010.blogspot.com/2010/07/why-pro-pot-activists-oppose-2010-tax.html

"As an example of how highly misunderstood this initiative and its potential impact on the drug war is, the California NAACP recently pledged their support for the initiative based on the belief that it will put an end to the disproportionately high number of African-American youth going to jail “over a joint.” <7> But in reality, the initiative will have no impact on this phenomenon whatsoever. As it is now, the State of California does not jail people for having a joint; it is not an arrestable offense. And, as mentioned above, possession of up to one ounce is on its way to being reclassified from a misdemeanor to an infraction—which carries no criminal-record stigma. The state does, however, incarcerate people for selling small amounts of marijuana. And since this initiative keeps private marijuana sales illegal, no matter the quantity, there will be no decrease in the number of African Americans—or anyone else—arrested for selling a joint..."

[Bluenorthwest]

10. Alice Huffman and the NAACP are correct

The marijuana laws are enforced in a racist manner, not just in CA but all over the nation. Mr Allen and his followers are stupid, horrible people who do not seem to have ever cracked a Bible while smoking all that crack. I find their view to be utterly chilling and inhuman.

[EC]

11. Everyone knows crack is bad

so why did he start it, if he liked pot? I'm thinking he has an addictive personality or predisposition and would become addicted to anything...I'll bet he can't stop eating chips either once he starts....

[Sta au]

20. There are a few reasons

Eh crack can be pretty damned addictive. As for how you start, that's another reason for legalization of marijuana. To keep people who want to do it away from the harder stuff.

[ThomThom]

14. Because someone had a personal problem with crack everyone

else should suffer is not a logical position. Many people have problems with alcohol, tobacco, some people drive recklessly none of these things mean the rest of us should be forced to give up a glass of wine, a fine cigar or driving.

[mitchum]

15. That's money that could be going into my collection plate!

[customerserviceguy]

17. Exactly

This joker wants people hooked on his religious hallucinations, instead of a little reefer...

[mitchum]

19. Preachers have it so much easier than any other grifters

it's not fair

[mitchum]

18. Delete: replied to wrong post

[Skip Intro]

21. Why do Mr. Allen, the DEA, or anyone else think they have the right to tell me I can't smoke a joint

???