Legal justice is largely engulfed by prejudice ideas and racist tendencies. While some people choose to ignore the prevalence of racism in our daily lives, and especially in our justice system, it impacts the lives of millions.Sociologists have performed studies to measure the level of safety that African Americans feel from officers of law, and the results are typically consistent: people of color are less protected, and often judged and discriminated against.
While the justice system was intended to create equality, it enforces quite the opposite. The justice system is actually just one of many ways in which racism is manifested. It creates a system of inequality and privilege.
Driving my friend to his home in Queens was an experience that made me extremely aware of my racial identity, and the privileges I receive on a daily basis. My best friend, Seth, who is African American, and I, who am white, were in the car near his hometown in Bayside, Queens when we got pulled over by a copy car. I had never been pulled over before, so, naturally, I was nervous. The cops, in a demeaning and demanding way, asked my friend for his identification while I was nearly ignored, despite a respectful nod. They then proceeded to write him a $160.00 ticket for not wearing his seat belt while I, as the driver, faced no repercussions for not wearing mine. I offered my friend money, I suppose as some level of compensation, not only to his wallet, but his dignity. He respectfully paid the ticket in his own way and was almost… grateful that I experienced something that he experienced often.
While white people, including myself, do not usually see the daily impact of racial inequality in justice, there are always instances available to those of us who seek knowledge.
