Running Away

An event that I witnessed today truly appalled me, and I find it very worthy of writing about. While walking around, I saw a black man running through the streets of the city. Stopped at a crosswalk, I overheard a white couple saying, "I wonder when the cops will find him." They clearly were insinuating that they believed this man to be a criminal, running away from a robbery or some crime. I was surprised by this reaction, for I saw the man running and just thought he was going for a run on a nice day in the city. This reaction reminded me of some lessons learned in sociology class. The fact that US blacks in prison have the highest rate then US whites in prison no longer surprises me. I believe if this couple had seen a white male running around, they would not question the crime the man has committed, instead they would think he was just enjoying a run. People are so quick to judge another race and associate negative connotations. With nearly 40% of the black population under supervision of the correctional system, and 32% black men expected to spend time in prison in their lifetime, I can see where people's judgments come from. People are quick to assume, if you are black, you are a criminal. But this is terrible. Especially when white collar crime is extremely costly and prevalent. The American business community lost $50 billion in 1980 to white collar crime! Yet people don't assume, if you are white, you are a criminal?

I believe that the racial disparities in the criminal justice system are not only corrupt but also demote progress toward lessening racism and promoting unity. I find that the only solution to this problem is people being honest, and treating everyone equal. There is no reason that one person should be charged of a crime over another due to one's color. Similarly, there is no reason celebrities should get off easier than regular people for the same crime. It has been seen in the media time and time again that celebrities have been pulled over for DUI's and possession of marijuana in their car. However, many times these celebrities are given a warning and get away free of charge. This would never happen for a regular citizen. Martha Stewart stole money, and she was given special treatment in prison; Brittney Spears drove the wrong way while intoxicated on a highway, only sentenced to house arrest. These crimes would never deem the punishment celebrities receive to the average person. Like with the issue of whites and black being charged, the criminal justice system must be improved. It must be as unbiased as possible. Police and witnesses must participate with the mindset that the one who commits the crime is guilty, with no external or physical attributes getting in the way. This sounds difficult when we live in a society of such judgment, hostility, and selfishness, but in order to promote a fair criminal justice system, racism cannot be getting in the way