Hunter Biden’s case isn’t special – it’s just rarely applied to White America

AI Image by Donald “C-Note” Hooker When I hear pundits and politicians argue that Hunter Biden’s federal gun possession charge was “unusual,” I can’t help but shake my head. They claim that federal prosecutors rarely pursue these types of cases and that Hunter was charged only because of his last name. But as a Black man who’s spent time navigating this so-called justice system, I know better. The truth is, countless Black Americans are prosecuted for the very same federal gun violations. It’s not “unusual” for us – it’s routine. In fact, these charges often come down harder on Black defendants than anyone else. If anything, what’s unusual about Hunter’s case is that he was even charged at all, because white Americans are often exempt from the same scrutiny Black Americans face every day. I’ve seen this firsthand, and I’ve lived it. My Case vs. James Orr: A Tale of Two Justices Take my case, for example. I was charged under California Penal Code § 245(a)(1) for allegedly raising a knife in self-defense to prevent a homeless man in downtown skid row from following me. Let me be clear: No one was hurt. I didn’t swing the knife, let alone...