No. The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 was not racist.
In the 1980’s there was a dramatic increase in violence and
crime related to crack cocaine, primarily in black communities. In response to
this, and in an attempt to reduce crime and violence in these communities, the
Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 was design and passed with the full backing and
support of black leaders and the Black Congressional Caucus. It was supported
by Biden, a significant portion of Democrats and a majority of Republicans.
- Congressional Black Caucus co-sponsored and voted for it
- Harlem’s U.S. Representative Charles Rangel help draft the bill
- The United Black Church Appeal, a coalition of African American religious and civic leaders, organized vigils and rallies across New York City to publicize the crack problem and pressure public officials to act
- The Reverend Wendell Foster, an African American city councilman and the president of the United Black Church Appeal, declared, “We are engaged in a new form of genocide.” He added, “As devastating as drugs may be in the white community, they are 10 times worse in the black community.”
- Charles Hughes, African American president of Local 372, District Council 37 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, “…an end to the [heyday] that CRACK dealers have enjoyed until now. Penalties must replace profits for those who are trafficking in drugs and the [high-level] drug [kingpins] must be apprehended and brought to justice as well as [street-level] pushers”
- Anti-drug campaigns emerged in black communities across the United States
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