Race and Justice: Writing II, Spring 2010

When I think about justice, I think about fairness for all. Every human in the world should be treated equal; but in the United States there are specific laws that were made to protect our freedom and give us all equal rights as citizens of this country. The last thing I see in this country is equality. It’s a beautiful place because of the diversity of race, religion, and just so many different types of people personality wise. The laws of this country tell us that we are all equal, and should be treated that way by other citizens, business establishments, schools, etc. For a place supposedly so equal and free and fair, everyday I see people constantly being treated in moral. Great strides have been made to improve racism since the past, and all races have equal rights. But racism still exists in many people, and some of those people are the ones who are supposed to be protecting your rights. So how is it fair that the cop who pulls you over is a racist? Or the judge who is making a decision about your life in the courtroom? Or your waiter at a restaurant? Or a teacher at your school? I think race plays a huge part in justice. Unfortunately a I’d say its a negative part. I live in Harlem, and I see racism daily. I’ll be walking down the street and the police officers who are there to supposedly protect the community will be harassing the citizens. I understand because of the crime rate and other statistics of danger there they are taking circumstantial measures to “protect” the community. But what I see is police officers joyfully harassing and talking down to mostly the youth of the neighborhood. Considering Harlem is a predominantly african american neighborhood, at least my part of it, i usually see the police officers harassing african american boys between the ages of i’d guess between 11 and 30. I’ll see two boys walking down the street minding their own business and four police officers will stop them, search them, and harass them. The verbal abuse the police officers gave these gentleman, was one of the most surprising things i’ve ever heard in my entire life. The police officers get upset with the gentleman when they don’t find any drugs or weapons on them. It’s like their not even here to protect most of the time, maybe the uniform does something to their ego, but I see them treat so many members of the community in a injustice way, and unfortunately I think its because of their race. I’ve walked past police officers many times on the same streets, in semi-large groups of people with many males and the police officers don’t even bat an eye at us. Wonder why? Sad to say, but truthfully it was probably because I was in a group of white people. I hope to one day see a day where we live in a complete justice fair world, but I think so many people are to blind half the time to even realize how unjust or racist they act. Intentionally or unintentionally.

Leo Nin

When reflecting on the history of injustice in the United States or any other country, one would usually first think of the mistreatment of Africans and African Americans.  We rarely think of the mistreatment of Native Americans upon Christopher Columbus’ “discovery” of the “New World.”

After reading one of Chief Seattle’s speeches last semester and currently reading Leonard Peltier’s Prison Wristings, I can say that I have become considerably more aware of the unfortunate plight that Native Americans were faced with once European explorers settled on the Western Hemisphere.   However, Native Americans’ misfortunes did not end with Europeans invading their land.  In one of Chief Seattle’s speeches, he speaks of the American government’s offer of $2 million for his people’s land, which is worth considerably more.   Perhaps the saddest part of his speech is not what he says, but his tone.  Although the younger Native American men he knows want to fight for being disrespected by the American government, Chief Seattle sounds like a man defeated and one who does not have the energy to fight anymore.

It is easy to sympathize with all Native Americans after hearing the stories of Chief Seattle, Leonard Peltier, and others.  It is disheartening to think that many Americans are unaware of the difficulties Native Americans still experience simply because their misfortunes have not been particularly focused on by the media.  This is in part because many Native Americans continue to live on reservations, which have the worst living conditions in America.  There is no question that Native Americans have experienced the least amount of justice of any ethnic group.  It is just a matter of whether or not Americans will ever become aware of their situation and make a substantial effort to help.

A person is deprived of justice through racism due to the fact that racism creates a division in people.  When a person is split as a result of racism they are alienate from society due to their outlook or favor.  So certain privileges are denied for people.  An example of this is if a country was racially biased and there was a person who was blamed for committing a crime for which he haven’t committed; then that person would go to prison despite any court trials.  The judge or jury will have this mentality that everyone from that race is bad and would automatically claim that this person is guilty.  In another example, some people may lose their privilege of serving for justice.  If racism affects a country for example like if the United States was racist against blacks like before; then the African American people would not have the opportunity to serve in court, to be a judge or even serve as the jury.  This changes the justice system and makes it pointed towards one race making the other race lose their voice.  Once this is gone, the sense of justice is eliminated.  Justice is then there for just one race rather than others.

Justice in essence should be universal.  When racism is effective, the idea of justice is different.  The standards of justice also changes.  For an example, if a country was racially biased and hated a race like Hispanics or any others; then that race would not have it’s say in what is right or wrong.  In extension of this idea, an example is if a country had two races African Americans and Caucasians only.  Then if the African Americans were deprived of opportunities because of their race; then the Caucasians will only have their word in saying what is right.  They can say a Caucasian stealing is fine but African Americans stealing is wrong.  Therefore, justice can be manipulated by use of racism to fit the needs or desires of the favorable race.

Race and Justice go hand in hand. Since the beginning of time we have categorized people because of their race. If everyone was of the same race we would find other ways to create a separation amongst each other, we would start discriminating short and tall, blondes and brunettes do you get the picture? Whether we want ignore the fact that society has often made justice unfair to those of a particular race, social status, or other quality, the truth is it exists. In my opinion race and other personal qualities will always have an effect on the verdict. This strips justice’s true identity away; it weakens its definition, and allows it to be influenced by certain biases. Both race and justice go hand and in hand. To be more specific, those who are fortunate enough to receive justice are associated to a particular group, whether it is their ethnicity or something else. This also applies to those who do not receive justice, and those who impose it. Oftentimes justice is displayed to the general public in a very subjective way, languages that mainly expresses the social status, and ethnic background of the defendant is used. When this happens I honestly feel it should not be a public matter, that is private and should have no role in what the public thinks, and what the verdict is.

Tamding Sherpa

A dog barks in your street. You, either, complain that the dog is disturbing the peaceful environment, or you look out to see what caused it. You have a choice. Maybe the dog saw a fire and therefore, barked. You had a choice. The point, I am trying to make, is that it is always up to a person to make the best of a situation he/she is in and to understand that even the worst of situation, when carefully looked into, can turn out to be a blessing.
Leonard Peltier, in his book, ‘Prison Writings’ tells us of a situation, where he is sent to a boarding school, at a young age. He talks about the school’s strict policy of having to speak only English, inside the school compound and how he despised it. He elaborates how students were whacked, if they were caught speaking their native language and, Peltier, with great certainty, confirms, that such actions were initiated, by the school, with the intention of wanting to wipe out the Indian culture. During my early teens, I was also sent to a boarding school, by my parents. There too, we, students were forbidden to speak our mother tongue. We were whacked or had to write five hundred times, “I will speak English inside the school” if we were caught speaking our language. However we, very well, knew what the teachers’ intentions were. We chose to take such heartless measures against us as an approach to improving our English. Instead of mistaking such deeds to be works of oppression, we opted to take them as some source of encouragement.
The result, in the end, is very clear. Even though, both, Leonard Peltier and I speak English well, I happen to have this certain amount of respect for my teachers, which Peltier chose not to. One should always look at the bright side of a story, because only then will the result be bright and learn from great personalities like, The Dalai Lama, who, urged his Tibetans followers ‘to learn Chinese so that they can talk with their new rulers, not fight with them.’
                                                

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.

Do We Really Have Justice and Equality?

                                                          By Sandra Levkovich

After reading Prison Writings by Leonard PeltierReading Prison Writings by Leonard Peltier, you learn how the Indian race is in serious jeopardy. He vividly describe the pain and sorrow that his people go through and still are going through. In America, they teach us at such a young age in elementary school’s that our country is a nation of freedom; that everyone is equal. Reading this book, I can not help to think  back to this young age and remember on Columbus Day how my second grade teacher would get dressed up in a big chief feathery hat and support the Indians. I wonder if she knew of the treatment in South Dakota and on the Indian reservations. I wonder if she knew how there isn’t justice for the Indians as well as other groups. I cannot point fingers at people, but why hasn’t people stood up if our country is so righteous about the fact that we are equal? It deeply saddens me that while growing up, I thought all other nation’s are so unfair and judgmental. However when you read articles, books, essays, news, and even personal experiences, its like a slap in the face of how our own nation is not equal to its people. To conclude my thought, I hope that people like Leonard Peltier are heard because people like him a voice to a real equal nation.