A former Black Lives Matter activist, now a conservative creator, has voiced his support for the mass incarceration of violent offenders.
Xavier Dursault, who hosts a show for PragerU, remarked, “It’s very easy not to go to jail. I’ve been black for 29 years and have never been in a courtroom like that.” He emphasized that following the law is the key to avoiding trouble.
“Don’t commit crimes. If you obey the law, you can live a beautiful life,” he stated.
Dursault, originally from Chicago, previously engaged in liberal activism and participated in BLM protests. He initially aimed to create a series addressing conservative viewpoints while appearing on Netflix’s “The Circle.” However, after a shift in perspective, he began to embrace and share his conservative beliefs openly on social media and in his PragerU series.
He has talked about the issue of mass incarceration, clarifying, “When I say mass incarceration, I don’t mean randomly arresting people on the street. I mean taking criminals on the street and mass incarcerating them.”
Dursault believes that addressing crime in a serious manner can help improve the black community’s situation, noting that the crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C., has particularly benefitted black Americans, who often face violent crime more frequently.
John Lott, a crime researcher, noted that even when murder rates drop temporarily, the impact continues to disproportionately affect black individuals, which complicates the narrative around crime prevention.
With regards to recidivism, Dursault argued that allowing repeat offenders to return to the streets fosters a cycle of crime, questioning, “If you’ve stolen from someone three times, why wouldn’t you steal again?”
On the topic of BLM, Dursault expressed discomfort about how the organization utilizes its funds. He suggests that BLM has redirected funds toward progressive causes instead of genuinely supporting the black community.
As for the BLM movement, their official stance, as stated on their website, envisions a future free from police and prisons, focusing on joy and justice for black individuals.
There’s an ongoing investigation into whether BLM’s leaders mismanaged donations raised in the aftermath of the George Floyd incident, which exceeded $90 million.
Dursault maintains that crime could be significantly reduced by addressing habitual offenders, arguing, “If you lock these people up and employ law enforcement effectively, you’re likely to see a crime reduction of at least 50 percent.”
According to recent statistics, the recidivism rates are high across racial lines, with about 74% of black inmates facing re-arrest within five years, and slightly lower figures for other demographics.
In response to crime rates, the White House highlighted a drop in homicides, attributing it to a commitment to restoring law and order.
Research indicates that murder rates in major U.S. cities reached historic lows, signifying a substantial decline in violent crime.
