Most people think they know Black history because they can name a few moments, recognize a handful of dates, and recall a few speeches they were taught mattered. And yet, many of those same people are consistently surprised by the present, by backlash, by retrenchment, and by how fragile progress actually turns out to be.

Kentucky's prison system has transformed into a powerhouse of economic activity, generating billions from the labor of incarcerated individuals. This troubling trend echoes the history of convict leasing, which arose after the Civil War and represents a dark chapter in which the freedom of Black people was taken, repackaged, and exploited for profit.

In this post, we will look at the reasons behind this complicated language, how it affects people seeking justice, and steps we can take to create a more inclusive legal environment.