Think of South Africa, think apartheid
Sisphyian curse- Black America’s
Forever to struggle
Against subordination at home; against oppression-
Fighting to ensure that justice
and fairplay are assured
That Black America, America, remains
an opportunity to the ambitious
A haven, refuge, to the oppressed
To the politically distressed of the diaspora.
When America assumed leadership of the free world
Black America assumed leadership of the Black World
To defend human rights to freedom, independence
and self-determination.
Excerpt “God Bless Black America” Blood That Thickens: Short Stories & Poems by Maurice M. Horsham
In America, the prison system has become big business. The “business” of locking up people who are poor or considered “minorities” is referred to as the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC). PIC basically means that there are huge profits to be made by frequently and continually putting members of the poor and minority communities in jail. Just like the saying above, the PIC seems like an America-specific problem, but where the matter hits home – not only in the Caribbean but all over the world – is the business part. Companies in the prison industry are continually expanding and building American-style prisons all over the world (keep in mind, the fuller the prison the bigger the profit).
In Georgia, prisoners, The Green Party, activists like Elaine Brown, and many other family members of prisoners and concerned citizens have started a campaign to oppose mass incarceration in the US. Campaigns such as these are important to follow; just in case America decides to sneeze on you:
Black Agenda Report coverage of prison protest in Atlanta
End Mass Incarceration Campaign
Details on the Prison Industrial Complex and the global economy
Zahra Gordon 
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