Incarnation in religious and philosophical contexts

¶ … incarceration of minorities, most prominently black males and its effect on communities with black males. It begins with making a bold statement. "The number of people incarcerated in the United States has grown seven times over the past 40 years, and this growth has been concentrated among black men with little education" (Goffman, 2009, p. 339). Goffman makes a direct correlation with lack of education and incarceration for black males. He notes that those with a high school diploma are 30% more likely to be incarcerated with odd jumping to 60% if they did not finish high school. The statistics also highlight black children and the fact that 25% of black children born in 1990 have fathers in prison.

Some news stories and articles throughout the years, especially the recent Black Lives Matter movement, have shown the rise in incarceration and targeted arrests of black men by law enforcement. This kind of article, written 7 or 8 years before the movement took roots, truly shows that the problem of black men being targeted by law enforcement is real. The government is trying to in some way or another prevent upward mobility for black citizens. Whether these arrests are motivated through racial prejudice or simply economic disparity, black men are clearly targeted more than any other group.

The article continues by sharing that police presence and supervision has increased in poor communities. Decades prior there were hardly police in and around those neighborhoods. Now there are police helicopters, searchers, chases, and multiple arrest warrants out for small infractions. While research points to poor communities having a small population of criminals performing major crimes and later standing trial, most members of poor urban communities, specifically poor black communities had little interaction with police before the 1990's. "Before the 1990's, in fact, the ghetto was frequently described as nearly abandoned by law enforcement" (Goffman, 2009, p. 340).

The mention of lack of policing decades' prior is a stark contrast to the reality of policing in poor urban communities now. This may come as a result of the privatization of prisons and the profits that came/come from having prisoners. It seems once money motivated acquiring prisoners for prisons, that is when the policing in these areas increased. Thus, leading to a result of a higher number of prisoners in prisons and targeted arrests.

Along with privatization of prisons came as the article notes, a 'zero tolerance policy' on crime. From civic leaders to police officers, the war on drugs and crime seem to have blossomed into harsh change within law enforcement. The article notes the dramatic increase in the last fifty years of the number of police officer per capita. Goffman states in Philadelphia in particular, the number of police officers increased within 40 years by 69% (4.66 officers per 1,000 citizens). From the criminal supervision of 60,000 people, the Philadelphia Adult Probation and Parole Department gained 10 million dollars in 2006 alone in restitution, court costs, fines, as well as supervisory fees.

As the shift moved more towards money, it was clear to see while reading the article, the gradual progression of changes in law enforcement. First came the increase in police officers. Then came increased supervision. Next came increased arrests and searches. This led ultimately, to higher revenues for the local government and at times, the federal government.

Goffman continues the article with an account of living in 6th street and being friends with a young girl named Aisha. The story continues noting the five blocks described as 6th street being majority black and male residents there selling food, stolen goods, bootleg DVD's and CDs to passersby. The condition of the areas was also described. "The main commercial street includes a bullet-proofed Chinese food store selling friend chicken wings, 'loosie' cigarettes, condoms, baby food, and glassines for smoking crack. On the next block, a Puerto Rican family runs a corner grocery" (Goffman, 2009, p. 342).

The depiction of the area is a great way to show how constant arrests have affected certain areas. Males arrested and processed through courts developed ways to make money outside of regular jobs. Often ex-convicts cannot find work due to their prior criminal history. So they rely on illegal means like stealing goods, in order to provide for themselves. The glassines show other consequences such as the pain and struggle of living this kind of life and having to endure the lack of work and negative environment they face every day.

One of the more disturbing scenes in the article were the scenes of children playing as the cop and the detainee. Children would arrest each other and say how they would never come home. This was in response to the constant searches, arrests, police brutality that was witnessed in these areas every day with the article mentioning at least one arrest was made each day.

Black men in these areas would be arrested for small things like violating probations, testing positive for marijuana, or even just being at the wrong place at the wrong time. The article continues with the various experiences of the boys and men of 6th street like Chuck, Alex, and Randy enduring jail sentences and having warrants out for their arrest. "He spent 35 weeks with a warrant out for his arrest, and in total had 10 warrants issued on him. Mike had at least 51 court appearances over this five-year period, 47 of which I attended" (Goffman, 2009, p. 344).

The number of court appearances and arrest warrants was alarming. The idea that police would try with great determination to find anything to arrest these boys and men was also shocking. The smallest of things like testing positive for marijuana, (which is it even legal to test someone's urine without a warrant?) pointed to the truth behind law enforcement and black males. There truly was and is a connection between being a black male and being more likely to end up in jail. It is not so much because of what a black male does, but so much as they are frequently easy targets to arrest for law enforcement.

The article continued with some sad moments such as Chuck telling his girlfriend he would make it to the hospital for the birth of their second child and then not going due to avoiding a possible arrest there. The reason for his warrant was silly, as it was due to breaking curfew. Mike experienced the same situation except he could not go to the place of employment. He violated his curfew at the halfway house and thus was facing jail time again. The article continues exploring the life of Chuck and Mike and their continued run-ins with the law. Chuck had a body warrant out for his arrest for attempted murder. Goffman states labeling theory suggests those labeled as deviant like Chuck, begin engaging in deviant actions because they and society see them as such. Everyone saw Chuck as a criminal, so he finally began acting like a criminal.

The article tries to place emphasis on the mere acting of being wanted as having a detrimental effect on people. "Once a man is wanted, maintaining a stable routine, being with his partner and family, going to work, and using the police may link him to the authorities and lead to his confinement" (Goffman, 2009, p. 351). Even if they do not have a warrant out at the time, going through the process creates a lack of desire to better themselves. The article mentioned towards the end, that people like Steve used his warrant as an excuse to not look for a job and this continued even after he had no warrant out for his arrest. In 6 years, he had not managed to secure a job.