The 13th amendment seems to be perpetuating systemic racism in the USA as it is being abused in that black people are being arrested brutally, incarcerated and then treated poorly and unequally compared to other prisoners.
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
Using ChatGPT we found that “Various studies and reports suggest that there are disparities in the criminal justice system, including differences in arrest rates, sentencing, and conditions within prisons.
Arrest Rates: Black individuals are often arrested at higher rates compared to their white counterparts. This has been attributed to various factors, including systemic racism, socioeconomic disparities, and over-policing in certain communities.
Sentencing Disparities: Studies have found that black individuals may face harsher sentences than white individuals for similar offenses. Factors such as mandatory minimum sentences and the discretion of judges contribute to these disparities.
Prison Conditions: Once incarcerated, black prisoners may face challenges related to prison conditions. Issues such as overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and violence can disproportionately affect black inmates.
Reentry Challenges: Black individuals may also face difficulties upon reentry into society after serving their sentences. Barriers to employment, housing, and education can hinder successful reintegration.”
We found the following article which shows that there indeed are racial disparities in the criminal justice system: Visualizing the racial disparities in mass incarceration
Although the data also suggests that people of color are doing more crime we do believe that it has to do with issues such as socioeconomic conditions, education, systemic issues on top of corruption. In their circumstances many are driven to survive through crime.
We understand that to change an amendment to the constitution is a long and rigorous process but we believe there should be no slavery in the new world even in the criminal justice system.
The US government may need to make policy changes about the treatment of all criminals that will ensure that they are treated equally.
They will also have to reform the way arrests are being handled and also prison sentencing making sure it is the same for everyone.
We believe police officers should be trained to be assertive and not brutal when handling arrests and also be punished for brutality.
Paid prison labor should replace any form of slavery the 13th amendment allows. To call this kind of penal labor slavery is really a stretch because even in schools it is compulsory for children to do work without wages.
According to ChatGPT, “slavery refers to a system in which individuals are owned, controlled, and exploited as property. Historically, slavery has taken various forms, but it typically involves the forced labor of people who are considered the property of others.”
So paid prison labor is not slavery but more like compulsory employment as education is compulsory for children.
To allow the 13th amendment to exist means that the state can claim ownership of prisoners and force them to labor by any means they deem necessary.
The US government has to address the disparities that minorities are suffering and this is a great start; changing the 13th amendment.
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