Final answer:
The disparity between White and Black Americans in nonviolent drug arrests and convictions can be attributed to harsher sentencing laws, racial profiling, and systemic issues. Efforts have been made to address these disparities, but more work is needed to ensure equitable treatment in the criminal justice system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disparity between White and Black Americans in terms of nonviolent drug arrests and convictions can be attributed to several factors, including harsher sentencing laws for certain drugs and racial profiling by law enforcement.
In the 1980s, politicians enacted harsher sentences for drug offenses, particularly for crack cocaine, which was more commonly used by Black and Hispanic individuals. This led to a disproportionate number of arrests and convictions for minorities.
Racial profiling, where Black and Hispanic individuals were targeted for routine traffic stops and searches, also contributed to the disparity in drug arrests and convictions.
Police forces focused on patrolling minority-inhabited neighborhoods, resulting in more arrests and prosecutions of Black and Hispanic individuals. This practice of racial profiling became a civil liberties issue and had devastating effects on certain communities.
Efforts are being made to rectify these disparities, such as the movement for the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. Additionally, there have been changes in sentencing laws to reduce the sentencing disparities between crack cocaine and powder cocaine.
However, more work is needed to address systemic issues and ensure equitable treatment within the criminal justice system.