[KarlInOhio]

Back when this different penalties were being put into place I remember a lot of complaints from the black community that crack was a scourge destroying the community, especially when compared to powdered cocaine which was perceived as just a "little nose candy for rich, white guys". How much of the difference in penalties was asked for by black leaders themselves.

Sorry, I don't recall any names or exact details because time has made my memory of the details a little hazy and all of it was filtered through the MSM at the time so who knows how much of that was true in the first place.

[Dan Evans]

Back when this different penalties were being put into place I remember a lot of complaints from the black community that crack was a scourge destroying the community,

Not only that but they Blamed it on the CIA

If we wanted to be racist we would unleash these crack peddlers on their victims, most of whom are black.

[Doctor Raoul]

I remember some of that too, that crack was cheaper, and more addictive.

[freespirited]

How much of the difference in penalties was asked for by black leaders themselves.

Thank you for bringing up the inconvenient history. When the crack epidemic hit in the late 80s, it was wreaking unbelievable havoc on the inner city. The leaders indeed asked, no demanded, the tough penalties.

They got what they wanted and the epidemic subsided somewhat. Now they and their liberal sycophants are screaming racism.