While in college, much of the local hip-hop activism I was familiar with centered around battling the prison industrial complex. This week the news that the newly elected g'vnor of New York, Eliot Spitzer is using his weighty political capital to take on the state's prison problem must be encouraging to those still in the struggle.
Spitzer is moving to close down some of the state's prisons, which would free up millions for more important matters, such as health care and education. To do this, he must come to political blows with the corporations, elected officials, unions, and townspeople who benefit from the jobs created by having a human warehouse in their backyards.
Here's my suggestion to Spitzer - replace every closed prison with its profitable polar opposite - a new school for SUNY, the state's university system. Imagine the symbolism - NY state can choose education over incarceration, and all without depression the economy of any local towns.
I think it could work.
This is excellent news to hear. Can't wait to see how this plays out.
Posted by: P-Matik | 2007.02.12 at 10:38 AM
Great idea Hashim...
Posted by: TM | 2007.02.12 at 02:58 PM
http://www.wiseguysbeats.com/
"Cheapest Beats Around "
Posted by: wiseguysbeats | 2009.03.03 at 10:49 PM