This is something that should be known but unfortunately not, I think what bothers me the most about this is how little people of color and especially the descendants of slavery know about things such as this. here is a very good book that should be read, Race, Law, and American Society: 1607 - Present ( Criminology and Justice Studies ) I have this book and believe me it should be required reading at lease for us. Update there is a kindle edition available now ( http://www.amazon.com/American-Society-Criminology-Justice-Studies-ebook/dp/B00COKMA84/ref=tmm_kin_title_0 )