Incarceration of African American Males Essay Example for Free

Incarceration of African American Males Essay Introduction The trend of African American males between the ages of 25 and 29 has seen a dramatic increase of incarceration. Attention has been focusing on areas of housing, education, and healthcare but the most prominent problem for African American males is the increase in the incarceration rate. African American males between the ages of 25 and 29 incarceration rate has been thought, by many, to be caused by economic factors such as under employment or unemployment, poor housing, lack of education, and lack of healthcare. Yet, others believe it is due to the imbalance of minorities within the criminal justice system, such as judges, lawyers, and lawmakers. This paper will explore two different outlooks; society has come up with so far, as to why African American Males between the ages of 25 and 29 are increasingly incarcerated. Finally, the information will give awareness to the problems that is faced by African American Males between the ages of 25 and 29. Prevalence – Problem 1 More than 40% of all American prisoners, men and women, are African American men, yet they make up just 13% of the U. S. male population (Roberts, 2004). This statistic does not include those African American men who are in local jails nor does it include those African American men under custodial supervision (Table 2). They enter the state and federal prison system, at the prime of their economic and reproductive lives and yet they exit prison behind both economically and socially. The high rate of incarceration among African Americans has been noted by the interconnection of poor economy, lack of affordable housing, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, absence of a strong black male role model, lack of access to education, or some type of combination of these factors. Statistics don’t even give African American males a good chance to stay out of jail. They have a one in four chance of being incarcerated, while Hispanic American males have a one in six chance, and white males only have a one in twenty three chance of incarceration. The color of African Americans sets them apart and makes them targetable. Prevalence – Problem 2 There is evidence, in our American Justice System, of structural inequality as seen in the percentages of minorities to the percentage of majorities employed in high ranking positions, within the system. The percentage of United States judges by race are 79% Caucasian, 12% African American, and 2% Hispanics American (Federal Judicial Center, 2012), as for the thousands of lawyers in the United States it is approximate of 3% are African American (National Law Group, 2010-2011), and about 1 in 4 police officers are members of a racial or ethnic minority in 2007 (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2013). An investigation into racial profiling showed that African American and Hispanic American offenders, who often are young unemployed males, are more likely than their white counterparts (Spohn, C., 2000). Their prison sentences are also typically longer or they receive differential benefits from guideline departures than do similarly situated white offenders (Spohn, C. , 2000). We must acknowledge the problems of racial disparity within the criminal justice system, communicate racial disparity within the criminal justice system with those we who are not informed of the problem, and stay committed to changing racial disparity within our justice system for change to begin. Causes In researching the high rate of incarceration in America it is more likely than not that the increase in African American Males being incarcerated is due to the War on Drugs (Table 1). It is public knowledge that drug crime ranks high among the effects of poverty. These poor neighborhoods not only endure crime they have poor schools, poor food, cramped living areas, and shortage of jobs if any jobs at all. Drugs and drug crime has become regularity in low income communities, arrests of Hispanics made up 55% of cocaine powder offences and 52% of marijuana offenses and 49% involving opiates: African Americans were suspected in 75% of crack cocaine cases; White males were suspected in 41% all methamphetamine cases (Motivans, M. , 2011). Decades of failed public and private remedies for chronic disparities and disadvantages in communities of color invite us to reexamine systems and institutions that provide and restrict opportunity in new ways (Lawrence, K. , 2011). The causes seem to be intertwined being poor equals, equals a poor education, equals lack of employment, and ultimately equals an increased rate of crime. Consequences The causes seem to be intertwined being poor, equals lack of education, which equals lack of employment, which equals increased rate of crime which equals impossibility to join criminal justice system. Also, many of these men are incarcerated while all the other non-incarcerated American young men are finishing school, starting careers, earning seniority at work, marrying and having children thus gaining capital. Even when released from prison, these men return back to their communities with a felony record that will pose extreme problems for them. The incarceration leads the released convict into a lower social class even if they were considered lower class Americans prior to their incarceration; they now are lower in social class standing in most instances. This leads to a poor African American community, perhaps as many as 50% of the male population will have been in prison. These incarcerated African American Males, who are in their prime of life, also are leaving half the families in this community facing such things as poverty, lack of affordable housing, mental illness, substance abuse, violence, absence of a strong black male role model, lack of access to education, or some type of combination of these factors. The community ultimately will become poverty stricken, struggling to survive, and ultimately vulnerable to the situation repeating. Solutions – How can this be changed? There are four key aspects to addressing racial disparity, in my opinion: 1. Acknowledge 2. Communication 3. Setback = Strength 4. Commitment Not only is the problem of racial disparity under recognized by society it is not being communicated effectively to make change. Majority groups needs to acknowledge racial disparity and minority groups need to communicate their knowledge regarding racial disparity. As each group majority and minority begins to become share their information with each other and work together for a common solution acknowledging there will be setbacks but with continued commitment systemic change will happen. Conclusion By refusing to tolerate disparate treatment of people of color or anyone within the criminal justice system we empower ourselves and our country. It is time that everyone including our legislators, law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges work collectively and courageously to eradicate this negative stigma. Despite, America being known for its equal rights we are living proof that in this era inequality is a factor that cannot be taken lightly. The statistics that are surrounding African American males is astounding. We need to empower African American males with the knowledge that they have a one in four chance of becoming incarcerated. It is also important to know that Hispanic males have a one in six chance, and white males have a one in twenty three chance of incarceration. All of these statistics need to be addressed to empower each and every one us. Throughout history we have not seen a change in majority groups (White, Male) and minority groups (Women, anyone that is not White) although we have seen numbers of minorities increasing at a fast pace. Today, however, the election of Barack Obama, not once but twice, may set the new ideal of what an American actually is. As we embrace different cultures and their ethnic backgrounds society will prosper. As society increases their knowledge, in regards to each person’s differences, they will acquire greater strength and prosperity. The only issue, that can occur, will be in the short term empowering others to embrace diversity. When we look beyond short-term, focus will shift to diverse empowerment through embracing the knowledge of our differences thus making us stronger as a society. TABLE 1: BLACK PROPORTION OF DRUG ARRESTS, EXCLUDING MARIJUANA POSSESSION YEAR BLACK % 1999 40. 1 2000 39. 3 2001 39. 1 2002 35. 8 2003 33. 8 2004 33. 1 2005 33. 2 Data calculated from drug arrest figures by race provided by the Uniform Crime Reports division of the FBI TABLE 2: FBI CRIME REPORT Arrests By Race, 2006 [11,249 agencies; 2006 estimated population 216,685,152] Total White Black American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian or Pacific islander Total White Black American Indian or Alaskan Native Asian or Pacific Islander TOTAL 10,437,620. 7270214 2924724 130589 112093 100. 0 69. 7 28 1. 3 1. 1 Drug abuse violations 1376192 875101 483886 8198 9607 1000 63. 6 35. 1 0. 6 0. 7 DUI’S 1034651 914226 95260 13484 11681 100 88. 4 9. 2 1. 3 1. 1 Liquor laws 466323 398068 50035 12831 5389 100 85. 4 10. 7 2. 8 1. 2 Drunken-ness 408439 344155 54113 7884 2287 100 84. 3 13. 2 1. 9 0. 6 Dis-orderly conduct 5117264 325991 179733 7606 3934 100 63. 0 34. 7 1. 5 0. 8 (The FBI: Uniform Crime Report, 2010) References Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2013, http://bjs. ojp. usdoj. gov/index. cfm? ty=tptid=71 The FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2010, Table 43, http://www. fbi. gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u. s/2010/crime-in-the-u. s. -2010/tables/table-43 Federal Judicial Center, 2012, Overview of the United States Court System, http://www. fjc. gov/public/pdf. nsf/lookup/FJC_Standard_PPT_English_June_2012. pdf/$file/FJC_Standard_PPT_English_June_2012. pdf Lawrence, K. , 2011, Race, Crime, and Punishment: Breaking the Connection in America, http://www. aspeninstitute. org/sites/default/files/content/docs/pubs/Race-Crime-Punishment. pdf Motivans, Mark, 2011, Washington, DC: US Dept. of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, http://bjs. ojp. usdoj. gov/content/pub/pdf/fjs09. pdf National Law Group 2010-2011, http://blacklawyers. net/ Roberts, D. , 2004, Measuring the Social and Moral Cost of Mass Incarceration, in African American Communities, http://www. law. fsu. edu/faculty/2003-2004workshops/roberts. pdf Spohn,C. ,2000, Thirty Years of Sentencing Reform: The Quest for a Racially Neutral Sentencing Process, http://www. justicestudies. com/pubs/livelink3-1. pdf.

Latino Assimilation Essay -- Culture

Immigration has always been an issue in the United States, which is often portrayed as harmful and as major threat to American culture. As a result, various anti immigration policies have been aimed against immigrants in order to prevent and preserve the miscegenation of American culture, such as English only policies. Among the largest minority groups in the U.S, are Latinos who currently compose of 15% of the U.S population (Delgado and Stefancic 3). Unfortunately, Latinos have been accused of taking American benefits, jobs, and have wrongfully been depicted as a result of not assimilating to American culture. Latinos are often accused of resisting assimilation, but what has failed to be acknowledged is that there are obstacles set in place that are preventing Latinos from completely assimilating. Among those greatest obstacles there is discrimination. Institutional as well as individual discrimination have prevented many Latinos from feeling a sense of belonging. As a result Lati nos have been reluctant to assimilate. Another major component is proximity. Many Latinos are native to nearby countries, which allows for easy communication with family members as well as their culture. Moreover, it also allows for a constant influx of immigrants that replenish and preserve Latino cultures and traditions in the U.S. Lastly, Latino movements are working diligently to promote unity among communities for the purpose of creating a sense of identity and pride amongst Latinos, such as the Chicano movement. In comparison to other migrating groups, Latinos have had different experiences that have prevented them from completely assimilating into American society. Throughout our history and presently, Latinos continue to face acts of cruelty... ... English 583. Delgado, Richard and Stefancic Jean. â€Å"The Shape of the Latino Group: Who Are We and What Are We Talking About Anyway.† Richard and Jean 3. Feagin, Joe R. â€Å"The First U.S Latinos: White Wealth and Mexican Labor.† Richard and Jean 67. Hartley, George. â€Å"I Am Joaquin: Rodolfo â€Å"Corky† Gonzales and the Retroactive Construction of Chicanismo.† Richard and Jean 241-242. Johnson, Kevin R. â€Å"No Poor Need Apply.† Richard and Jean 98-100. Lopez, Ian F, Haney. â€Å"Legal Violence and the Chicano Movement.† Richard and Jean 308-309. Mendoza, Gustavo Chacon. â€Å"Gateway to Whiteness: The Census and Hispanic/Latino Identity.† Richard and Jean 49. Perea, Juan F. â€Å"Buscando America: Why Integration and Equal Protection Fail to Protect Latinos.† Richard and Jean 601-602. Waters, Mary. â€Å"Assimilation and Demographic Replenishment.† Richard and Jean 409-410.

Women’s Rights to Abortion

The dictionary defines abortion as :The termination of pregnancy and expulsion of an embryo or of a fetus that is incapable of survival . This simply means, inducing birth to kill the fetus or baby before it is carried to full term . The most popular procedure involved in abortions is the vacuum aspiration which is done during the first trimester (three months or less since the women has become pregnant). A tube is simply inserted through the cervix and the contents of the uterus are vacuumed out. The most commonly used type of second trimester abortion is called dilation and evacuation. Since the fetus has bones, bulk and can move, second trimester is not as simple. When as much of the fetus and placenta are vacuumed out then tweezers are used to remove larger parts. The controversy of abortion has become one of the most divisive an irrationally controversial issues of our times turned into a legal and political power struggle with no permanent resolution in sight . I am pro-choice! For years it has been said that abortion should not be legal . Today it is a big issue , many people feel aborting an unwanted child should be against the law , As I see it a woman’s body is her own to do whatever she wants . Approximately one to three million abortions are done each year. Women get abortions for many reason; such as rape , teen pregnancy and health reasons . Rape is one of the many reasons that cause woman to choose to end their pregnancies. Many of them feel guilty about ending a life, but they know deep down how badly they would treat the child , they hate their rapist, so in turn would hate the child. Pro-life activists say that abortion is murder and is in defiance of God. Would God want a Mother to hate her child or do her child harm? They would also question whether this child would be like it’s father (a rapist ). Young woman between 15 and 18 account for atleast 5 million abortions every year . One of every 5 pregnancies happen to teenage girls, in these situations some teenagers no they are not able to take care of these children for they are not mature enough for this awesome responsibility . In many cases the child would have no one to rely on but a single mother with no schooling and maybe a non-supportive family . The child would have a miserable upbringing left vulnerable also a baby born to a teenage mother is at a risk of suffering more health issues than a baby born to an older mom. Teenage mothers are more likely to get addicted to drinking, smoking and drugs due to the post pregnancy stress. †¢Teen mothers also gain very less weight during pregnancy and are also at a higher risk for premature birth, which can also affect in low birth weight of the baby. †¢Babies who are born with a low birth weight suffer from serious health problems like underdeveloped organs, infant mor tality, stomach complications, loss of vision in one or both eyes, respiratory complications and other lung problems. †¢Most babies of teenage moms are likely to die early than babies of women in their twenties and thirties. Teenage parents often face some huge economic hardships. Teen mothers are forced to give up education and drop out of school, less than 20% of teenage mothers earn a high school diploma. †¢It's very difficult for a teenage mother and father to support themselves and their baby. As their education is cut short, it's very difficult for teenage parents to find a decent job. †¢With education cut short, they are left with very little employment opportunities and they face a lot of hardship in building a secured future for themselves and their kid. †¢Over 85% of teen parents rely on welfare for financial support at some point in their lives. With the little income of both parents, it's very difficult to provide the baby with the required nutrition and care. After taking into consideration all of the hardships that will be faced abortion becomes a reality, and the teen mom realizes that pregnancy is not just about life in the womb, life comes with the responsibility of provid ing the child all the rights and comforts that they are entitle to. Another reason women seek abortion is Incest, why should a woman bring a child in the world that was conceive with a family member usually against her will. In Bioethicist Andrew Varga’s article it is argued that in this tragic case the great value of the mental health of a woman who becomes pregnant as a result of incest can best be safe-guarded by abortion. It is also said that a pregnancy caused by incest is the result of a grave injustice and that the victim should not be obliged to carry the fetus to viability. This would keep reminding her for nine months of the act committed against her and would just increase her mental anguish. It is reasoned that the value of the woman's mental health is greater than the value of the fetus. In addition, it is maintained that the fetus is an aggressor against the woman's integrity and personal life; it is only just and morally defensible to repel an aggressor even by killing him if that is the only way to defend personal and human values. It is concluded, then, that abortion is justified in this case. Another reason women seek abortions is Incest, why should a woman bring a child in the world that was conceive with a family member. It is argued that in this tragic case the great value of the mental health of a woman who becomes pregnant as a result of incest can best be safe-guarded by abortion. It is also said that a pregnancy caused by incest is the result of a grave injustice and that the victim should not be obliged to carry the fetus to viability. This would keep reminding her for nine months of the act committed against her and would just increase her mental anguish. It is reasoned that the value of the woman's mental health is greater than the value of the fetus. In addition, it is maintained that the fetus is an aggressor against the woman's integrity and personal life; it is only just and morally defensible to repel an aggressor even by killing him if that is the only way to defend personal and human values. It is concluded, then, that abortion is justified in this case. Pro- life activist have bomb abortion clinics, On January 29, 1998 a nail-studded bomb killed a guard and seriously injured a nurse at an abortion clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. October 23, 1998: Dr. Barnett Slepian was shot to death at his home in Amherst, New York. His was the last in a series of similar shootings against providers in Canada and northern New York state which were all likely committed by James Kopp. Kopp was convicted of Dr. Slepian's murder after finally being apprehended in France in 2001. May 31, 2009: Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed by Scott Roeder as Tiller served as an usher at church in Wichita, Kansas. Is taking a life of a full functioning human being worth spending life in prison for an unborn fetus. In conclusion for any pregnant woman making a decision to abort her unborn child is painful and ruthless, but under certain situations a woman should be able to terminate her pregnancy by ab ortion.

Revolution and Power Essay - 2123 Words

What is a revolution? Is it a country declaring its independence or the falling of the bourgeois? Is it brother fighting brother or the story of a nation emerging from its own ashes? Or is it neither? Revolution is the story of change: changing of power, changing of governments, changing of minds. Power has become an increasingly hard term to define, especially when it is so intertwined with some of civilization’s most dynamic aspects, people and technology. Technology changes power. It is common knowledge to never bring a knife to a gunfight, or a gun to a bomb fight. In either scenario, one would not wish to be on the losing end, and technology is setting the bar higher each day. But, as stated before, power is intertwined with both†¦show more content†¦After the adoption of the gun in warfare, kingdoms that either chose not to adopt the technology, or simply could not afford it, did not fare well in combat against those kingdoms that did, making guns a wartime nec essity. But guns cost money, and the common-people had the resources. Thus a majority of Europe entered the age of debtors and the commodity of wealth. Guns were a large commodity because of their high demand and the skill required in their construction. Kings became indebted to their own people in their purchase of guns and, as a result, the dynamic of power shifted. As stated by Adam Smith in his book â€Å"Wealth of Nations†, the wealth of a nation did not depend upon the amount of gold in the king’s treasury, but on the product of its citizens. With this redistribution of wealth came a redistribution of power and the emergence of a new public sphere; one that was increasingly interested in the political, economic, and social workings of their surroundings. Guns were not the only technological revolution that changed the workings of power. The printing press was arguably the greatest technological innovation ever created within the confines of historical media. 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