Drug War's Racist Roots? - Ethan Nadelmann

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/09/09/CONNECTIONS_Ethan_Nadelmann_on_Legalizing_Drugs

Ethan Nadelmann delves into the history of drug prohibition and its relation to racism and class segregation. "The distinction between which drugs should be legal and which drugs should be illegal had essentially nothing to do with the relative dangers of these drugs."

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Ethan Nadelmann is presenting at Momentum 2009 on the Connections plenary: We can't hope to fashion a better society unless we recognize the interplay of the pressing issues of our time. Where do we stand in relation to our best ideas - freedom of the press, access to education, a legal system that serves the people?

This plenary connects the dots between rhetoric and reality and reminds us that healthy public discourse is impossible without an informed citizenry. - Momentum Conference

Described by Rolling Stone as "the point man" for drug policy reform efforts, Ethan Nadelmann is widely regarded as the outstanding proponent of drug policy reform both in the United States and abroad. He is the founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the United States advocating for drug policies grounded in science, compassion, health, and human rights.

He has written articles for a wide range of journals, including Science, Foreign Affairs, American Heritage, and National Review, and is the author of Cops Across Borders, the first scholarly study of the internationalization of U.S. criminal law enforcement.

He received his B.A., J.D., and Ph.D. from Harvard, and a Master's degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics, and then taught politics and public affairs at Princeton University.

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• hispanic
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[purplecharger88]

Yet another reason drug prohibition should be lifted.

[AnimeMangaLove]

This man is a real Hero. Do what you do best Ethan Nadelmann.

[apainfultruth]

As a "grandma" who has been "criminalized" I can tell you for a fact probation causes more harm abuse than good. I had a painful illness for over a decade. No doc would seem me as I had no insurance. Finally in bed and suicidal I ordered prescription pain meds online and got my life back. Until last Nov 2010 when a 20 man SWAT team broke my door down and took me away to jail. Mother, Wife of 34 years, author, grandmother with NO previous record... and now convicted felon. apainfultruth (dot com)

[drpeppa2357]

The war On drugs is a house of cards that cannot stand, we're fighting the symptoms, some of which are caused by our lack of education on these substances and nothing but flimsy myths of "reefer madness" and the like.

It's time to wake up and confront the issue on its own turf, without the same bullheaded ignorance that has propelled the last century.

[Silvertrine]

The level of racism in drug enforcement is shocking, You know what Oxycontin is right? Synthetic heroin and synthetic morphine mixed with a few other synthetics. Yeah you're not junkies. Even England which is the birthplace of these racist ideas doesnt pursue a racist drug war like the US does anymore. Time to grow up and admit what you're doing.

[babypuncher22]

If you are a murderer you should be murdered. If you smoke cannabis.... i guess you're just content with life :) not drugged, just medicated against negative emotions such as anxiety and anger.

[plainolamerican]

go fuck your dead mother really hard and like it, asshole

[jimbob6986]

Go fuck yourself!

[Kfos650]

100% agree

[plainolamerican]

oh God, another jew screaming racism

get a new shtick

[etzel33]

lol... CAUGHT! I'm "in character" here PHD. I'm constantly arguing with these right-wing crazies and it really gets grueling at times. There's zero room for logical discussion and I find myself dropping to their level. It was a bad post I admit.

Now that I have some calm time to post here... I'm a Libertarian and I think that prohibition of peaceful behaviour is generally wrong.

And I'd rather not get into a flame war about it. So if you disagree... have a nice day :)