Know Your Roots Post-Crack Black Community Impacts
Janiyya Robinson
Co-Presenters: Gracie Olabanji
College: College of Business and Public Management
Major: Criminal Justice
Faculty Research Mentor: Sarah Coykendall
Abstract:
The crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s had a devastating and long-lasting impact on Black communities in the United States, dismantling social, economic, and cultural foundations that had been built over generations. This research explores the multifaceted consequences of the epidemic, examining how systemic racism, discriminatory drug policies, and the government's aggressive "War on Drugs" disproportionately targeted Black neighborhoods, leading to mass incarceration, economic decline, and the breakdown of family structures. The study delves into the social stigmatization of addiction, disparities in access to healthcare and treatment, and the intergenerational trauma that continues to affect Black youth and families today. Additionally, it contrasts the punitive response to the crack crisis with the public health-centered approach to the current opioid epidemic, highlighting racial disparities in policy and perception. By analyzing historical context, policy decisions, and community responses, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the epidemic's enduring legacy and the pathways toward restorative justice and systemic change.