I’ve been thinking lately the definition of crime — or at least the way it’s treated — is kind of relative. The consequences of a harmful act differ widely depending on the social and economic position of the person or group that does the harm.

Corporations and CEOs whose safety shortcuts harm or kill workers on the job usually get away with it, while working class and poor people do serious time for minor offenses.

Some wealthy people cash in on subsidies for industries that damage water, land, wildlife and public health, but a poor person can get nailed for littering (not that I’m in favor of littering).

Executives at financial institutions whose predatory practices have wiped out families’ life savings have gotten huge bonuses, while petty theft is often punished.

Woody Guthrie summ

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