The Massive Effect of Mass Incarceration is about a New York Times feature written by Reginald Dwayne Betts. Since as early as I can remember incarceration has always been a topic of discussion. From the majority of my family members, friends, and just people around the way. Consequently, I grew up believing that was somewhat of a normal way of life.“Kamala Harris, Mass Incarceration, and Me” has definitely resonated with me for that reason. As well as others that I’ve realized after.
To begin I find it an interesting parallel that Betts is an ex-convict and the son of a felon writing a composition backing an ex-prosecutor. In many ways that alone shows that many of us have not only talent but also a heart regardless of past mistakes. The writer starts off setting a vivid depiction of what they experienced as an adolescence in a court room being prosecuted. One can definitely sense the feeling of being judged based on appearance and the mistake made during this introduction. The majority of the people I’ve loved the most including myself are all too familiar with the feeling.
I didn’t follow the recent election race, but I found it surprising that Kamala Harris being a former prosecutor was actually used against her. In my opinion I would think that would actually benefit her in the eyes of many civilians regardless of their background. Especially being that most of a criminal's history either cares or actually can vote. To me that brings the question, “Are you actually harming your community even when you think you are doing good?”.
Betts then goes into an event that forever changed his mother’s outlook on the justice system. She was unfortunately sexually assaulted on her way to work. This transpired only weeks after her son (the writer) was sentenced to a prison stint. This situation shows how life can and usually does force us to see each end of any given spectrum. From my understanding she relentlessly fought for her son’s freedom. So to go from that train of thought to wanting the same future for someone the same as a courtroom recently wanted for your son is a rollercoaster of emotion I can only imagine feeling. The writer makes it clear it also made him reflect on the justice system along with his past decisions as well.
Reading this makes me reflect as well. In many situations I’ve been in I’ve looked at the police and the justice system as more of a weapon used against us versus a service for us. From traffic stops, random searches, and having them called. Rarely has the outcome been in favor of a loved one and or I. While on the other hand I can only imagine the countless times I wasn’t around and it went a completely different way.
Returning to the writing, Betts then dives into a gathering they attended at that present time. He reflects on how many of our communities focus on inequality, civil rights, and safety within the community. To his surprise mass incarceration wasn’t mentioned. Betts states “I didn’t hear anyone mention mass incarceration. And I knew in a different decade, my grandmother might have been in that audience, taking in the same arguments about personal agency and responsibility, all the while wondering why her grandbaby was still locked away.”, which is a vivid depiction of his feelings in the moment. That immediately made me wonder if the reason why is that we’ve become desensitived to it? I think that is a question many of us need to ponder.
From there the reader goes into Harris’s background. They touch on a lot of what Kamala experienced while she was a prosecutor. One was how she reflected on conversations fellow employees would have about proving suspects were gang affiliated based off of appearance. I honestly don’t find it far fetched as it’s always been an unspoken understanding that many law enforcement do just that. But it is fascinating to actually see those discussions were had.
Fast forward the writer speaks to how they went into law school after their learnings from time served. They were inspired by the people they met and believed to owe them another chance at life. As said earlier it shows that even though we may make mistakes it doesn’t dictate who we are and what we are capable of. As a result he actually did give some of those same fellow inmates another chance, which I find commendable.
To summarize the rest of the writing they go over why they believe Kamala Harris shouldn’t be judged by trying to change the justice system from within. In retrospect we should look at the system itself, and try to figure out whether there can be changes made to make it benefit our community more than work against us. Even if it was built or adjusted to our detriment. People such as Ms. Harris have actually dedicated themselves to answer that question. Rather you may view what they’ve done as right or wrong.
Work Cited
Betts, Reginald Dwayne. “Kamala Harris, a ‘Top Cop’ in the Era of Black Lives Matter," The New York Times, 20 Oct. 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/20/magazine/kamala-harris-crime-prison.html
There were many influences and experiences which helped me with this writing. As stated in the writing, I’ve personally had a lot of experiences with law enforcement. Furthermore, the majority of them ended in a negative manner. As well as stories I’ve heard from loved ones. Incarceration has always been a dark cloud in the distance that won’t go away.
The parallel of Betts being an ex-convict as well as the son of a felon definitely hit home. Almost 80 percent of my family and friends are convicted felons. On the contrary, these are some of the most loving, smart, and ambitious people I know. I myself have been arrested a number times as well. I feel as though there’s a misconception of those who have made mistakes in their past.
In regards to the depiction of Kamala Harris, I believe it was needed. It gives a different perspective on the candidate. There were multiple things learned during the writing that I didn’t know prior to reading. So I feel that it was necessary for me to depict at least one one of the situations mentioned. With that being said, I also think there are questions she may have asked herself including the one mentioned.
From musicians, athletes, and just everyday people of our community mass incarceration is something we’ve grown with. The writer definitely does a great job of reflecting on that fact. While also showing the other side by giving a victim’s perspective. That in itself shows growth and self awareness. He also shows growth within himself by taking the initiative to use his experiences to help others of the same background.
Overall the writing was inspired by the understanding of mass incarceration and what it means to me and people like me. Of course I would like a solution to be found, but most likely there won’t be. Unfortunately, I believe the best thing we can do is refrain from making past mistakes and lead generations that follow to do the same.