Drug Decriminalization in Maryland Through an African Centered Research Paradigm- Analysis and Recommendations
This document offers guidance for theorizing questions related to a proposed research project purposed to advance drug decriminalization in Maryland. This document offers guidance for theorizing questions related to a proposed research project purposed to advance drug decriminalization in Maryland.
objective,” they are essential to correct the bias tacit embedded within the current system. It is understandable that researchers might want to project the Portugal decriminalization experiment in the most positive light possible, but our understanding of the dangers of applying this model to the United States shows how necessary African-centered research is as a corrective to the bias within contemporary research. Researchers must remain humble in the face of addressing such a complex issue, willing to adjust and readjust their preconceived notions in relation to their research process. More than anything, the admonition of scholars of African descent that all research is political must be remembered. This may feel like a daunting realization for researchers acclimated to the belief of themselves as dispassionate arbiters of objective data. Researchers should put this realization into context: white supremacy is a global system of control which precedes the contemporary era by at least 500 years. A recognition of the political role of research is not a demand to address whtie supremacy in its totality with complete accuracy. Such thinking actually over-estimates the role of the research, positing them as holding the responsibility to “save” oppressed communities with their research. The goal of the researcher is to do their small piece to produce knowledge which explains to the world how white supremacy has inhibited the ability for communities to save themselves and to use data, coupled with intense analysis, to present advocates and lawmakers with the tools to help restore that capacity. The hope is that this analysis, and the tools presented herein, can set researchers on the path towards achieving this goal. Works Cited Akbar, Na'im. Akbar Papers in African Psychology. Mind Productions & Associates, 2003. Alexander, Bruce K. The Globalization of Addiction: a Study in Poverty of the Spirit. Oxford University Press, 2010. Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. New Press, 2020. Ani, Marimba. Yurugu: an African-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behaviour. Africa World Press, 1997. Berthelot, Emily R., et al. “Racial (In)Variance, Disadvantage, and Lethal Violence.” Homicide Studies, vol. 20, no. 2, 2015, pp. 103–128., doi:10.1177/1088767915570311. 4151 Park Heights Avenue, Suite 207, Baltimore, MD 21215 • www.lbsbaltimore.com • (410) 374-7683
Chapman, Chris, and A. J. Withers. A Violent History of Benevolence: Interlocking Oppression in the Moral Economies of Social Working. University of Toronto Press, 2019. Clear, Todd R. Imprisoning Communities: How Mass Incarceration Makes Disadvantaged Neighborhoods Worse. Oxford University Press, 2010. Curry, Tommy J. The Man-Not Race, Class, Genre, and the Dilemmas of Black Manhood. Temple University Press, 2017. Domosławski, Artur. “Drug Policy in Portugal: The Benefits of Decriminalizing Drug Use.” Open Society Foundations, 2011, www.opensocietyfoundations.org/publications/drug-policy-portugal-benefitsdecriminalizing-drug-use. “The Epidemiology Of Gun Violence: Race, Region And Policy.” NPR, NPR, 26 Mar. “Every 25 Seconds.” Human Rights Watch, 12 Oct. 2016, 2013, www.npr.org/2013/03/26/175378043/the-epidemiology-of-gun-violence-raceregion-and-policy. www.hrw.org/report/2016/10/12/every-25-seconds/human-toll-criminalizing-drug-useunited-states. 4151 Park Heights Avenue, Suite 207, Baltimore, MD 21215 • www.lbsbaltimore.com • (410) 374-7683
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Chapm<strong>an</strong>, Chris, <strong>an</strong>d A. J. Withers. A Violent History of Benevolence: Interlock<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Oppression <strong>in</strong> the Moral Economies of Social Work<strong>in</strong>g. University of Toronto Press, 2019.<br />
Clear, Todd R. Imprison<strong>in</strong>g Communities: How Mass Incarceration Makes Disadv<strong>an</strong>taged<br />
Neighborhoods Worse. Oxford University Press, 2010.<br />
Curry, Tommy J. The M<strong>an</strong>-Not Race, Class, Genre, <strong>an</strong>d the Dilemmas of Black M<strong>an</strong>hood.<br />
Temple University Press, 2017.<br />
Domosławski, Artur. “<strong>Drug</strong> Policy <strong>in</strong> Portugal: The Benefits of Decrim<strong>in</strong>aliz<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Drug</strong><br />
Use.” Open Society Foundations, 2011,<br />
www.opensocietyfoundations.org/publications/drug-policy-portugal-benefitsdecrim<strong>in</strong>aliz<strong>in</strong>g-drug-use.<br />
“The Epidemiology Of Gun Violence: Race, Region And Policy.” NPR, NPR, 26 Mar.<br />
“Every 25 Seconds.” Hum<strong>an</strong> Rights Watch, 12 Oct. 2016,<br />
2013, www.npr.org/2013/03/26/175378043/the-epidemiology-of-gun-violence-raceregion-<strong>an</strong>d-policy.<br />
www.hrw.org/report/2016/10/12/every-25-seconds/hum<strong>an</strong>-toll-crim<strong>in</strong>aliz<strong>in</strong>g-drug-useunited-states.<br />
4151 Park Heights Avenue, Suite 207, Baltimore, MD 21215 • www.lbsbaltimore.com • (410) 374-7683
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