Submitted by Damon Pace, Aug 22, 2008 21:39

John McWhorter is a very witty and trenchant observer of American culture, especially with regard to issues related to the African American community. However, with regard to his call for the end of the War on Drugs, he is far off the mark. It is very understandable that Mr. McWhorter would be annoyed, frustrated and offended by his encounter with the police. But to call for an end of the War of Drugs as a result is a huge non sequitur.

Mr. McWhorter provides no analysis as to what this would mean, other than the prospect of no more mean white police officers harassing innocent, hapless black youths. If the government were to magically end the War on Drugs, it would either cause the: 1) outright legalization of drugs and a Pandora's Box of problems that we cannot even begin to imagine; or 2) explosive growth of violence by street-level dealers for territory, as they would have far less to fear from the police. In either event, the black community would bear the brunt of the harm. Lastly, Mr. McWhorter fails to consider that an additional reason for the occasionally snarling demeanor of police officers in urban environments has to do with the overwhelming and disproportionate amount of crime committed by the black community. This, sadly, is a reality in cities around the country, and even in the fair city of Toronto, where Mr. McWhorter is presently visiting.

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