The crack epidemic, once a prominent chapter in history, has now become a larger-than-life tale in our collective consciousness. As time passes, our memories of this era become skewed, influenced by the accounts of law-enforcement officials, politicians, and pundits who dominated the conversation. However, most of these individuals were not personally affected by the epidemic beyond their work or what they saw in the news. For them, the crack epidemic represented everything negative about poverty, crime, and violence in America.
But for those of us who lived through the crack epidemic, it was an inescapable reality. It infiltrated every aspect of our lives, bringing misery and despair. It was more than just statistics used in articles or speeches; it was a grim presence in our neighborhoods and homes. For some, it disrupted childhoods, constantly subjecting us to trauma, tragedy, and stress.
Take, for example, Michelle, who lived a few doors down from my family in Columbus, Ohio. I never really interacted with her, but I was taught to fear her. My mother, a cautious woman, would discuss Michelle at length with her friends over the phone, highlighting the suspicious activity happening at her house. Michelle was seen as a sad figure, someone whose appearance and lifestyle were deemed unacceptable. As a child, I couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on behind the scenes.
One day, Michelle’s family arrived, and I witnessed the arrival of her older relative and young daughter. It was through this encounter that I learned more about Michelle’s circumstances. However, the word “crackhead” was tossed around freely during that time, serving as a common insult used by kids. It represented the worst of the grown-up world, and we used it to feel powerful and grown-up ourselves. We reduced the complexities of addiction to a mere word and a source of fear.
Michelle eventually disappeared from the neighborhood, replaced by others who lived on the fringes of our poor Black community. There was a woman known as “Miss Prissy” and a man who always seemed to be in a hurry, selling various items. These individuals, like Michelle, were mostly referred to as “crackheads” by the adults around me. As a child, I came to associate the devastation of crack with their presence.
The crack epidemic left a lasting impact on my community. It affected the way we were policed, with the police employing aggressive tactics that targeted everyone, regardless of innocence. It felt as if we were constantly under surveillance, and any resistance was met with harsh consequences. Moreover, the crack epidemic seeped into our schools, where teachers would label my Black classmates as “emotionally disturbed” or “hyperactive,” perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
As young people living through the crack epidemic, we navigated its shadow without truly understanding its effect on us. We ran from the police who profiled us, constantly trying to outrun the dangers associated with addiction and crime. Thankfully, I managed to survive, thanks to a combination of determination, luck, parental guidance, and divine intervention.
However, as time goes on, the crack epidemic has become a subject of myth and stereotype. References to crack and its associated horrors are often used as punch lines or nostalgic reminders of the late 20th century. Politicians weaponize the crack epidemic to support their criminal-justice policies or justify their track record on issues concerning Black lives. But some of us seek a deeper understanding, a reconciliation between our memories and the truths presented in popular culture.
Through extensive research and interviews, I’ve come to realize that the crack epidemic was a culmination of society’s vulnerabilities. It was the result of widespread poverty, powerlessness, and a broken social safety net. The crack epidemic showed just how deeply flawed our society was during the 1980s and ’90s, highlighting the struggles faced by the most vulnerable among us. It is this real history that we strive to piece together, seeking answers and demanding change.
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