“Black people, especially in lower income neighborhoods, are more often in situations where they see “criminal” activity as the only option for meeting their most basic needs.”

Besides, “crime” is a social construct. In other words, what we understand as criminal changes as society changes… and as those in positions of power define/pursue specific benefits.

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Good piece. I especially like your connection between historical oppression, survival, and crime. I would just like you to 1) add that crime/criminal activity (as a construct) is not fixed/static and for you to 2) further question the assumptions we have about those classified as criminals.