Race and Class in the American Criminal Justice System

         After reading the article, Race and Class in the American Criminal Justice System it makes you aware there is not equality in court system. It is not equal to all based on race and economics. There is an inability to be properly defended in court if you are unaware you have the right to an attorney. Before Miranda Laws many people may have spoke without an attorney or been coerced into confessions for crimes they may not have committed. The Justice system is suppose to protect all people but primarily African American and Hispanics males have not been treated equally.
      
      The O. J. Simpson case became a case of black vs whites. It was not decided based on evidence but the defense used Mark Furman's racial slurs to create a case based on racial profiling and the assumption the blood evidence was planted. The jury consisted of a majority of black jurors who sided with O.J. Simpson. The entire murder evidence became dehumanized by highlight racial profiling instead of a murder trial of hard evidence. It became a trial about race and divided people. He was a wealthy celebrity not a typical black male being tried for a double murder.

      If a judge had heard the case instead of a jury there may have been a different outcome. All cases may be more fair if handled by judges where the administration of justice is handle without emotion over fact. Statistically equality is difficult to achieve when you have no money for your defense and lack of education. Forty percent of the people in jail can not read. How can you defend yourself if you can not understand the process and charges against you? This does not say that all people are treated unfairly but opportunity for a fair defense should be equal. Many people have been found innocence after accepting plea bargains for crimes they never committed.

      I encountered when I was a young teen hanging out with my friends, that the police will stop you for no apparent reason. I was really nervous because they asked for our ID and we hadn't done anything wrong. I was not aware that I didn't have to show my ID or answer any questions. I was scared and intimiated. They really had no right to stop us for nothing but you feel compelled to comply.

     What can we do to create a more fair system of justice? Is it based on race or do more ethnic group do more crime? No matter what your race, I believe all people want other to be treated fairly.

What Does It Mean to Be Human?

     As an individual you develop from birth to adulthood by the experiences you learn both socially and culturally.  Your parents care for your basic needs and provide you with food, clothing and housing. You are born with basic instincts but it is your parents nurturing, care and values that is necessary for your survival and development. Your character and behavior is developed by the way you are raised and how you see the world.
    
     A study of the orphanages in Romania proved the importance of nurturing of babies and how neglect can effect young children both physically, emotionally and intellectually. Without love and attention you can not thrive.
    
     Some people grow up with a sense of "entitlement." Wealthier children grow to expect they will always have money because of their parent's influence as quoted by Robert Coles (1977) and have no problem believing they will succeed given that their parents can provide them with influence and typical social climbing. They believe these things are their inherited right. Poorer children may not be aware of this but with a strong sense of self and hard work they maybe able to achieve their goals.
    
     The country and lifestyle you grow up in, influences your world around you. Your gender, your families wealth and your own self esteem are a few of factor in your role and social status. Later in life, your friends and co-workers also have great meaning in your life. We are social creatures who are dependant on one another. Life is an interaction in which we grow in our society.
    
     Our gender also plays a part in our role in society. Sexuality in media is used to sell product. Sexy women are used to sell cars and liquor. There is no doubt, that we as human beings are influenced and molded into who we are, by our surroundings. Young people today are influenced by social media. We communicate much differently than our parents did. In the last 20 years, society has been forever change by social media with the cellphone, technology make the world a much easier place to communicate with others.

    In my own personal life my family and friends have influenced me greatly. My interaction with them has influenced me to go to college. I have my own sense of self. Growing up as an only child, I may have been spoiled. I received a lot attention but also developed my own self esteem. I have good friends who have given me support and I am confident. In part, it is probably because of my family and friends that I have a strong sense of self and motivation. We are all dependant on each other as humans need each other to survive. We are social creatures who are influenced by one another.