Marshall Poe
Marshall Poe
Matthew D. Lassiter, "The Suburban Crisis: White America and the War on Drugs" (Princeton UP, 2023)
Matthew D. Lassiter, "The Suburban Crisis: White America and the War on Drugs" (Princeton UP, 2023)
Matthew D. Lassiter, "The Suburban Crisis: White America and the War on Drugs" (Princeton UP, 2023)
Friday 2nd February 2024
Matthew D. Lassiter discusses his book 'The Suburban Crisis' and reveals how white middle-class parents shaped America's war on drugs.
60 minutes
Informative
Eye-opening
Educational
Thought-provoking
Honest
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Marshall Poe
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Get the buttons here!Uncovering the Suburban Roots of America's Drug War
Episode Overview
- White middle-class parents' influence on drug policies.
- Racial dynamics in the war on drugs.
- Militarisation of police forces.
- Youth subcultures' role in drug use.
- Grassroots movements shaping drug legislation.
The whole goal of the system was to control and rehabilitate and deter white middle class youth, but leave no trace in their official records that they had ever had an encounter with law enforcement
Get ready to dive into the fascinating history of America's war on drugs with Matthew D. Lassiter's new book, 'The Suburban Crisis: White America and the War on Drugs'. In this episode of New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery, host Caleb Zackren chats with Lassiter, a history professor at the University of Michigan, about the unexpected suburban roots of America's drug war. If you thought the war on drugs was only about urban minority populations, think again.
Lassiter sheds light on how white middle-class parents in the suburbs played a pivotal role in shaping drug policies that have had long-lasting impacts on American society. Lassiter takes us back to the 1950s and 60s, revealing how suburban parents demanded harsh penalties for drug dealers, often targeting Mexican Americans. These parents saw their children as innocent victims, while urban pushers were criminalised.
The conversation uncovers the racial dynamics and political motivations behind these policies, showing how they led to the militarisation of the police and coercive public health movements. You'll hear about the surprising ways suburban youth contributed to the drug culture, from driving into cities to buy marijuana and LSD to bringing radical politics back to their quiet neighbourhoods.
Lassiter's research is rich with anecdotes and historical data, making it clear that the war on drugs was not just a top-down federal initiative but also a grassroots movement driven by local communities. By examining the suburban crisis, Lassiter challenges us to rethink our understanding of drug policy and its effects on different demographics. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the complex history of drug legislation and its social implications. Why should you tune in?
Because understanding the past can help us shape better policies for the future. Dive into this eye-opening discussion and see how history can inform today's debates about drug laws and public health.