November 1st, 2023 | Thomas Carter

Joe Biden's Racist Political Career

His policies have disproportionately harmed blacks and minorities, even as president.

Joe Biden has had a lengthy political career spanning over four decades. During this period, he has been a part of numerous policy decisions, some of which have been controversial and racist. Most Canadians may not realize the depth of racism within Joe Biden's political career. As an American, allow me to explain.

One of the most contentious pieces of legislation Biden supported was the 1994 Crime Bill, officially known as the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. This bill introduced several measures aimed at tackling crime, such as funding for prisons, an expansion of death penalty offenses, and the introduction of a three-strikes law. Critics argue that this legislation disproportionately affected black and Latino communities, contributing to mass incarceration. Biden has since expressed regret for some aspects of the bill, acknowledging its role in institutionalizing criminal justice policies that led to increased incarceration rates.

Another controversial policy associated with Biden is the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act. This legislation resulted in a 100-to-1 sentencing disparity for crack versus powder cocaine possession, which was later proven to have disproportionately affected African Americans. This is due to the fact that crack cocaine was more commonly used in low-income urban areas, which were predominately black.

Yet another egregious example of Biden's record is his role in shaping the 1996 Welfare Reform Act. This legislation, which Biden helped pass as the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, drastically reduced public assistance for single mothers and imposed strict work requirements that made it difficult for people to access the support they needed. Critics argue that this policy disproportionately impacted women of color, who were more likely to be raising children on their own and struggling to make ends meet. The act required recipients to engage in work activities for a certain number of hours per week to receive benefits. This provision disproportionately affected black women, who were more likely to be single mothers and have less access to childcare resources. A study by the Center for Law and Social Policy found that 60% of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients were African American or Hispanic, and that 70% of these recipients had children under the age of 13. The work requirements made it difficult for single mothers to balance work with family.

In 2002, Biden voted in favor of authorizing President Bush to go to war with Iraq, despite the fact that there was no concrete evidence of weapons of mass destruction or any other justification for military action. This decision has been widely criticized as a major mistake that led to the deaths of thousands of innocent Iraqis and Americans alike. The long-term consequences of the invasion did the most harm to religious minorities and women living in Iraq, following the insurgency of ISIS, which was the result failed U.S. policies and military intervention. ISIS had a devastating impact on the country's women and religious minorities, including Yazidis and Christians. The group's brutal ideology and actions resulted in widespread human rights abuses, including sexual slavery, forced marriages, and the destruction of cultural and religious sites. Joe Biden, along with America's neo-cons, were solely responsible for the destruction that ensued in Iraq following the removal of Saddam Hussein.

Biden's stance on school integration in the 1970s has also raised eyebrows. He opposed federally mandated busing, a policy aimed at desegregating schools. Critics argue that this stance was harmful to black students, who were often confined to underfunded schools in racially segregated neighborhoods. Biden has defended his position, stating that he was not opposed to busing in principle, but rather to its federal imposition.

Joe Biden's track record speaks for itself, and it's not just a matter of hindsight—these policies have had real and lasting impacts on the lives of millions of people, particularly people of color and low-income communities.

In terms of harming America's poorest communities, which also happen to be disproportionately black, President Biden's economic policies have had several negative consequences for the U.S. economy. Increased government spending, higher taxes, regulatory overreach, and inflation are all areas of concern that could have long-term negative impacts on the economy.

Under Biden, the U.S. has seen a significant increase in inflation, which has had a negative impact on the economy. The rising costs of goods and services have eroded the purchasing power of Americans and have made it more difficult for businesses to plan and invest. The Biden administration's economic policies have been criticized for contributing to this inflation, particularly the increase in government spending and the proposed tax increases. The president has called for trillions of dollars in new spending on infrastructure, education, and social programs. While these initiatives may have merit, the increased spending could lead to higher taxes and increased national debt, which could have negative consequences for the economy in the long term—which will plunge America's poorest communities deeper into poverty.

Joe Biden hasn't been a force for good among America's black community, or for women and ethnic communities abroad. Throughout his political career he has supported racist policies and devised legislation that has outright harmed African Americans and aided disastrous wars. For that, he needs to be recognized along with America's deeply entrenched establishment of neo-conservatives and warmongering liberals.

Joe Biden is a part of America's problem.