Proposition 6: No

This is a hold-your-nose-and-vote position. Not only does it align with the odious Howard Jarvis cabal, their argument against borders on the ludicrous. But the reason for rejecting this initiative is that it isn’t addressing a real problem, but it is a performative “solution” looking for a problem.

Yes, overincarceration is an issue. Yes, Black people are incarcerated in California at a much higher percentage than they are in the population.

Proponents hope to trigger you by using the term “slavery” to generate support, hoping you won’t see past their slippery veneer. I mean, who old support slavery?

However, the current California Constitution already prohibits slavery. Let’s look at the exact wording that this initiative will remove:

Slavery is prohibited. Involuntary servitude is prohibited except to punish crime.

Currently in California prisons, inmates can be required to work for no compensation. This initiative seeks to stop that. They hope that adding this line to the Constitution will address that:

(a) Slavery and involuntary servitude are prohibited.
(b) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall not discipline any incarcerated person for refusing a work assignment.
© Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from awarding credits to an incarcerated person who voluntarily accepts a work assignment.

A Mercury News editorial says it best:

But inmates should not be legally empowered to dictate what chores they’re willing to do while behind bars. That’s why voters should reject Proposition 6, a measure cloaked in language about slavery and involuntary servitude that’s really about prisoners being able to turn down work assignments.

Like I said, performative, not reformatory. We need to take a stand against this grandstanding, performative bullshit. And we do it by voting No on this initiative.