Understanding the Numbers: A Conversation with Historian Dr. Elijah Freeman

In an era where social media posts can spread to thousands of people within minutes, questions about race, crime, and incarceration often generate strong opinions—but not always informed ones.

To better understand the historical context behind claims regarding Black Americans and the criminal justice system, Pulse Radio 96.1 sat down with Dr. Elijah Freeman, a respected historian, author, and lecturer whose work focuses on African American history, Reconstruction-era policies, housing discrimination, and the long-term impact of public policy on Black communities.

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Freeman spent more than twenty-five years researching the intersections of race, economics, education, and criminal justice. His work has been featured in universities, museums, and historical journals across the country. Known for his ability to translate complex historical topics into everyday language, Dr. Freeman believes understanding the past is essential to understanding the present.

After a social media post falsely claimed that America’s prisons are “80-90% Black,” Pulse Radio asked Dr. Freeman to help separate fact from fiction.

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“Why Are Black Americans Overrepresented in Prison?” A Conversation with Historian Dr. Elijah Freeman

Pulse Radio 96.1: Dr. Freeman, we recently saw a social media post asking why so many Black people are in jail and prison. Some people seem to think the answer is simple. Is it?

Dr. Elijah Freeman: Not at all. Anytime someone tries to explain a complex social issue with a single sentence, they’re usually leaving out a lot of history. The real answer requires us to look at centuries of policy, economics, education, housing, and criminal justice practices.

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Pulse Radio 96.1: The post claimed prisons are “80-90% Black.” Is that even accurate?

Dr. Freeman: No. That’s factually incorrect. Black Americans are disproportionately represented in prisons, but they do not make up 80-90% of the incarcerated population nationwide. When a conversation starts with inaccurate statistics, it usually leads people to inaccurate conclusions.

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Pulse Radio 96.1: So why are Black Americans overrepresented in the prison system?

Dr. Freeman: To answer that, we have to go back much further than most people are willing to.

After slavery ended, many Southern states created laws specifically designed to criminalize newly freed Black people. Things like vagrancy laws and convict leasing systems allowed Black citizens to be arrested and forced into labor. The relationship between race and incarceration didn’t begin in the modern era. It has roots stretching back generations.

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Pulse Radio 96.1: Some people hear that and say, “That was a long time ago. What does that have to do with today?”

Dr. Freeman: History doesn’t disappear because time passes.

When generations are denied opportunities to build wealth, own property, access quality education, and participate equally in the economy, those effects can echo for decades. Many communities are still dealing with the consequences of policies enacted long before any of us were born.

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Pulse Radio 96.1: Are you saying poverty is connected to crime?

Dr. Freeman: Absolutely. And that’s true regardless of race.

If you look around the world, one of the strongest predictors of crime is concentrated poverty. Communities with fewer resources and opportunities often experience higher crime rates. That’s not a Black issue. That’s a human issue.

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Pulse Radio 96.1: What about the argument that Black people simply commit more crime?

Dr. Freeman: That’s a statement that requires context.

Crime statistics measure arrests, convictions, and reported offenses. They don’t automatically explain why crime occurs, how communities are policed, or whether different groups receive equal treatment within the justice system.

Serious conversations require us to ask deeper questions than a headline or a meme can answer.

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Pulse Radio 96.1: Why do these conversations become so emotional?

Dr. Freeman: Because many people have seen statistics used to justify stereotypes.

When people hear broad claims about an entire race, they often feel that their humanity is being reduced to a number. History has shown us the danger of taking complicated social issues and blaming them on a single group of people.

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Pulse Radio 96.1: What’s the biggest misconception people have about incarceration and race?

Dr. Freeman: That race itself is the cause.

Race doesn’t cause crime. People aren’t born criminals because of their skin color.

What matters are the conditions people live in: economic opportunity, education, stable housing, community investment, family support systems, and access to resources. Those factors influence outcomes far more than race ever could.

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Pulse Radio 96.1: Final thoughts?

Dr. Freeman: Before forming opinions, verify the facts.

The claim that America’s prisons are “80-90% Black” is false. But even beyond that, understanding incarceration requires history, context, and honesty. If our goal is to solve problems, we have to be willing to look deeper than stereotypes and ask why certain conditions exist in the first place.

Only then can we have a conversation that leads somewhere productive.

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Editor’s Note: The views expressed by Dr. Elijah Freeman in this educational interview are intended to provide historical context and encourage informed discussion. Pulse Radio 96.1 believes conversations about race, crime, and public policy should be rooted in verified facts, historical understanding, and respectful dialogue.