Along with law enforcement and the justice system.
I wasn't saying that, but yes, that is actually the case, now that you mention it.
(November 2023) A report updating the Commission's data analysis concerning demographic differences in federal sentencing practices.
www.ussc.gov
Narratives correlating black people and crime. It's a favorite of networks like Fox News.
Case in point.
There are multiple components in the system that perpetuate poverty and crime, to which I've listed nine reforms. Mind you, they hardly constitute all the solutions, but they are examples of policies that we, the voters, actually have some control over.
1) Eliminate mandatory minimums and return sentencing discretion back to judges.
2) Ban private prisons.
3) Ban slave labor in prisons.
4) Give full voting power back to ex felons.
5) Ban the ex felon question on job applications.
6) Ban asset forfeiture.
7) Legalize drugs (end the war on drugs).
8) End bail for non-flight risk crimes.
9) End voter suppression.
If your race is feared or distrusted by society, the above practices will squeeze you like a vise and perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
If you're in prison, are you making a living for yourself or your family?
You're assuming a fair system. If the system was fair and applied fairly, then I could agree with that.
A moot point if black people are targeted disproportionately for law enforcement due to being seen as inherently criminal.