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In-Depth Breakdown

1. The Pardoning of Hunter Biden: A Predictable Move

• Personal Bias in Power:
  • President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, is unsurprising. It reflects a natural inclination to protect one’s child from the consequences of a flawed criminal justice system.
  • This acknowledgment highlights the human element of leadership — if most people had the power to shield their loved ones, they likely would.

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2. The Problem of Selective Recognition

• Acknowledging Injustice Selectively:
  • Biden’s recognition of flaws in the system when applied to his son underscores a hypocrisy when those same flaws are ignored in the broader context of marginalized communities.
  • The pardon represents a personal exception, but not a commitment to systemic change for others affected by similar injustices.

Statistics Reflecting Systemic Failure:

• Mass Incarceration Disparities:
  • The U.S. represents only 5% of the global population but accounts for over 20% of the world’s prisoners.
  • The country’s incarceration rates have surpassed even the numbers recorded during the height of slavery, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities.

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3. Missed Opportunities for Broader Reform

• Nonviolent Drug Offenders:
  • Despite promises and a clear acknowledgment of the injustices of the War on Drugs, Biden has not pardoned the 10,000+ individuals serving time for nonviolent marijuana offenses.
  • These individuals continue to suffer while societal views and laws regarding marijuana use are evolving toward decriminalization and legalization.
• Unchecked Presidential Power:
  • Biden’s pardon power, upheld and clarified by the Supreme Court, offers him an opportunity to address systemic issues:
    • Comprehensive Criminal Justice Reform:
      • He could create safeguards to protect marginalized communities from being further victimized by biased institutions.
    • Student Debt Cancellation:
      • Erasing student debt could transform the futures of Black and Brown communities, addressing generational wealth gaps and economic disparities.
  • The lack of bold action on these fronts highlights a failure to use power for meaningful, systemic change.

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4. Systemic Racism and Inequality

• Criminal Justice System Bias:
  • The same system that Biden acknowledges as flawed when it comes to his son has historically been weaponized against people of color:
    • Harsher Sentences for Minorities
    • Disproportionate Arrest Rates
    • Targeting of Communities for Drug-Related Offenses
• Inconsistent Application of Justice:
  • The inconsistency between pardoning Hunter Biden and neglecting widespread reform reflects a lack of urgency in addressing long-standing inequalities.

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5. A Call for Action and Fairness

• Beyond Personal Pardons:
  • True leadership requires using power not just for personal situations but for the greater good.
  • Addressing systemic flaws means pardoning those unfairly imprisoned, reforming policies that harm marginalized groups, and eliminating barriers to progress such as student debt.
• Equitable Use of Power:
  • If the system is recognized as flawed for one individual, it should be acknowledged and rectified for all who suffer under its biases.
  • The time for selective justice has passed; comprehensive justice and reform are necessary.

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Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Consistent Justice

President Biden’s pardon of his son illustrates a personal understanding of systemic flaws but highlights the lack of commitment to broader reform. True justice requires extending that empathy and action to marginalized communities who have faced systemic persecution for decades. It’s time for leadership to move beyond personal interests and tackle the structural inequities that harm millions.