Criminal Justice

By way of an introduction, I must confess that getting involved and committing to anything of this magnitude was never my intention. However, sitting on the sidelines doesn’t feel right either; the film clips and still photographs from the 60s in black and white, showing white police officers with dogs and fire hoses, black people being mauled and hosed down, left me perplexed, numb, and scared. I ask myself, “What would you have done if you were of age to do something about the injustices of the era”? This is a journey of self-discovery and an effort to understand humanity. My Bible tells me, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The criminal justice system is necessary to protect us from unfair or unjust treatment by law officers on every level, at county and municipal levels and federal and state levels of law enforcement. As I begin to understand the system that incarcerates a disproportionate number of black and brown people, we must understand how the criminal justice system is structured. It is a multi-layered system that leaves space for error and discriminatory human mistakes. I will also explore best-selling authors and authorities on the subject. I was never one to question the authority of our law enforcement officials until I started to see the disparities in the system that blatantly targeted, seemingly, people of color.

The economic impact on the black and brown communities is another area of concern, as the ability to grow wealth becomes a significant challenge in the black community. Together, we can help support and encourage those returning to the community with employment to foster dignity and self-sufficiency. Healing starts with being able to provide for yourself and your family. Please leave a comment in the space provided.