Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill has written an op-ed for the New York Times where he makes the case for systematic change in the US prison system.
Since his release from prison, the artist has become a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform. “The criminal justice system has a set of rights created to protect you. But do you think it’s really protecting us?” the rapper asked in a video accompanying the op-ed.
Mill served five months in prison after Philadelphia judge Genece Brinkley determined he had violated his probation by popping a wheelie in New York City. He was released on 24 April, 2018, as an appeal continues on his 2007 gun and drugs charges.
“I got lucky, but because of dysfunctional, discriminatory rules, most don’t,” Meek writes. He used his platform to advocate for “stronger prison rehabilitation programmes, updated probation policies... an improved bail system and balanced sentencing structures,” and also pressured politicians who support the current system, which incarcerates a disproportionate number of blacks and Latinos.
“It’s clearer than ever that a disproportionate number of men and women of colour are treated unfairly by a broken criminal justice system,” Mill says.
“The system causes a vicious cycle, feeding upon itself ― sons and daughters grow up with their parents in and out of prison, and then become far more likely to become tied up in the arrest-jail-probation cycle. This is bad for families and our society as a whole.”
The op-ed also announces a new advocacy group pushing for criminal justice reform called ReformNow. Meek says that the initiative will launch “soon,” and sign-up is available for more information.
Read the full op-ed at The New York Times here. Meek Mill’s new album Championship is out on 30 November. So far he has released the singles “Oodles ‘O Noodles Babies” and “Uptown Vibes”.
