To what extent did the policies implemented by the War on Drugs negatively impact African American communities in the urban United States during the late 20th century?

Abstract

The War on Drugs served as one of the most influential sociopolitical conflicts of the 20th century. While the war may have been initiated with the goal of decreasing drug use, it quickly spiraled into a conflict that fundamentally altered the fabric of the criminal justice, policing, and legal systems in the United States. Legislative action undertaken at both the state and federal level regularly implemented more stringent sentencing guidelines as prominent political figures called for drastic action to curb the epidemic of drug use in America. Routinely, action came in the form of harsher punishments and increased policing that perpetuated and worsened systemic inequalities towards African Americans. Although the punitive nature of the War on Drugs began to wane throughout the early 21st century, the negative economic, social, and political impacts instigated throughout the conflict continue to be felt by African American communities taken under its grasp.