Gil Scott-Heron and the prison system
David McDonald ( Solidarity 209) says that nobody of Gil Scott-Heron’s stature should end up in jail (in Heron’s case, for cocaine possession). I think I know what David is saying here — that it is a shame to see such a talented musician get so low. However, Heron would never have claimed any privileges for himself and neither should we. Nobody, no matter who they are, should go to jail just for using drugs, particularly if, as in Heron’s case, drugs are making them ill. Over 25% of the world’s prison population are in US jails (2 million of its 307 million population). And 10.4% of all black...