Blacks have been stereotyped to be criminals since the slavery era. The stereotypes of blacks being criminals led to justifying keeping black slaves and other types of discrimination (Kennedy, 1998, pg 13). After slavery, blacks were believed to have a tendency to commit horrendous crimes. This led to the justification for their lynchings and policies to control blacks (Kennedy, 1998, pg 13). Politicians and the media have also supported the stereotype of blacks and their involvement in crime (Kennedy, 1998, pg 13), especially violent crime that the public fears most. Blacks have also largely committed violent crimes such as robbery, murder, rape and aggravated assault disproportionately higher than whites (Kennedy, 1998, 13). In this paper, we will look at issues around the racial disparity problem in the American justice system that cause blacks to be imprisoned at disportionately high rates.
Racial Injustice Whites have historically been seen as ‘good’ and have been associated with angels and Jesus; …show more content…
This policy is reinforced by over-policing in these communities that put more individuals in prison from disadvantaged backgrounds. Whites are the most documented users of crack cocaine, but blacks are the majority of those convicted for crack offenses (Provine, 2007 p.4). A policy recommendation to reduce victimization of racial minorities would be to help improve social programs like schools in minority neighborhoods. Many minority communities in the inner cities have populations with high dropout rates and low employment rates. Blacks especially who are not educated have a difficult time finding jobs. They also have to live in the poorest and most crime-ridden
Racial Injustice Whites have historically been seen as ‘good’ and have been associated with angels and Jesus; …show more content…
This policy is reinforced by over-policing in these communities that put more individuals in prison from disadvantaged backgrounds. Whites are the most documented users of crack cocaine, but blacks are the majority of those convicted for crack offenses (Provine, 2007 p.4). A policy recommendation to reduce victimization of racial minorities would be to help improve social programs like schools in minority neighborhoods. Many minority communities in the inner cities have populations with high dropout rates and low employment rates. Blacks especially who are not educated have a difficult time finding jobs. They also have to live in the poorest and most crime-ridden