Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This chapter examines how the enduring myth of Black criminality shapes American ideas of law, order, and justice. It begins by showing how political figures—from George H. W. Bush’s 1988 “Willie Horton” ad to Donald Trump’s racially coded rhetoric—use this myth to incite fear and preserve white power. The chapter explores how systemic racism permeates law enforcement, the courts, and the media, demonstrating that Black Americans are disproportionately portrayed as criminals, targeted by police violence, and denied equal protection under the law. Through examples from literature, film, and journalism, it reveals how cultural narratives—from The Birth of a Nation to contemporary news—sustain stereotypes that justify racial inequality. Finally, the chapter exposes how the criminal justice system exploits Black labor through the Thirteenth Amendment’s loophole, allowing white elites to profit from incarceration and proving that racist myths endure through both fear and greed.</jats:p>