‘Orange is the New Black’ Season 5, Spoilers: Prison Riot of Current Season Reflects the Unfair Treatment of Black Convicts
Season 4 of 'Orange is the New Black' has returned and it is fabulous. But going by the end, one can only say that the next season will be focused on the loopholes and laxities that plague the US police department with relation to the treatment of black convicts.
The current season ends with a massive protest by the inmates in the aftermath of a crackdown from the guards, where they take things in their own hands, leading to violence. The crackdown is part of the prison's takeover by a for-profit entity and sees some brutal moves being made by the guards, especially Piscatella.
Despite the peaceful protests, things turn ugly and it causes major troubles ahead. Guard Bayley holds down Poussey (Samira Wiley) by the neck, which leads to her accidental death. She was arrested for selling less than half an ounce of marijuana, a drug crime that is notorious for unfair sentencing, if it is committed by black men and women.
Now, this incident of the show brings to mind the controversial death of Eric Garner, a Staten Island man, who also died during his arrest, when the police officer used physical violence to make him tow his line. Similar charges, as depicted in the show, were pressed against him and he was accused of selling untaxed cigarettes. It also revives the mysterious death of Sandra Bland, who died in Texas police custody.
Actress Samira Wiley also said that her character's death was meant to put the focus on societal issues. She said that if they can make people feel the pain of blacks through a TV show then that is the kind of TV she would want to make. She emphasized that it is necessary to make people feel things so deeply that it affects them in that way.
Well, season 5 is very likely to bring more focus on the unfair sentencing and killing of the blacks at the hands of police. And the prison riot that season 4 finale witnessed is a perfect pointer to tell the audience what lies ahead.
