Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Spryguy

(120 posts)
Sat Jan 19, 2013, 09:02 AM Jan 2013

Affirmative Justice

SO, my friends and I were talking over coffee the other day, and I wanted to hear what other DUer's thought.

So, we all know as a matter of fact that the American justice system is horrendously racist, the police are racist, and juries are racist. Minority populations are more likely to get convicted and charged with crimes and get longer sentences, all on account of white (majority) juries and cops. Yet how do we reconcile the problem when the deck is so unfairly stacked against non-whites.

And then it hit me- we have Affirmative Action to correct imbalances due to white racism in the job market. Why not Affirmative Justice?

Basically, we look at crime/conviction statistics in an area, and adjust people's prisons sentences/charges to bring them in line so that the prison is staffed based on population.

For example- let's say the current prison in a city is 50% black, 35% white, 14% hispanic/latino, and 1% other. Now, the city's POPULATION is 65% white, 3% other, 12% hispanic/latino, and 20% black.

"Other" and whites would be unaffected. HOWEVER, hispanic/latinos would have charges downgraded so that the prison is only be 12% of that, and black men would receive a substantial downgrade to all their charges so that they would only comprise of 20% of the jail.

The population would be reviewed on a yearly basis and adjustments made as needed.

What do you all think?

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Affirmative Justice (Original Post) Spryguy Jan 2013 OP
Quotas were tossed quite some time ago ProgressiveProfessor Jan 2013 #1
Oh, I know that part. Spryguy Jan 2013 #2

ProgressiveProfessor

(22,144 posts)
1. Quotas were tossed quite some time ago
Sat Jan 19, 2013, 11:25 AM
Jan 2013

and have never been applied in judicial circumstances. To do so would require a higher court to admit to bias in the courts. Not going to happen

 

Spryguy

(120 posts)
2. Oh, I know that part.
Sat Jan 19, 2013, 09:05 PM
Jan 2013

The courts are run by old white men still. It's a pie in the sky dream, but still worth discussion.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Race & Ethnicity»Affirmative Justice