When Justice Matters

Just like a page out of US History, we are witnessing and reliving events that reveal an ugly truth about our nation’s past... “Some people's lives do not matter.” With each passing day, another incident grips the headlines and shockingly exposes what so many of us already know that our criminal justice system needs an overhaul.  And soon, if not already there, we are coming to an impasse of what to do about it.  Clearly, what is going down is not working.   

Today, many see our criminal justice system as being flawed and out of balance... especially when you consider that people of color are disproportionately paying a higher price when it comes to charges, length of sentences and incarceration.  And it does not stop there, even after paying the fines, serving time and reentry back into the community there is an ongoing stigma that comes along with being involved with the criminal justice system.  For many the nightmare never stops and getting back to some kind of normal life is an ongoing battle. 

Not only are we wrestling with the social impact of a broken system, we are also dealing with a system that is becoming overwhelmed with the sure volume of societal problems that are “out of sight” and “out of mind.”  And with the emergence of videos by “John Q Public” being produced via cell phones and shared on the internet has opened our eyes to the good, the bad, the ugly and the just awful in real time.  These “game changer” videos have added to the need for more system reform and a challenge to the status quo. 

Let’s get real about it; many of our problems are deeply rooted cultural biases that continue to create barriers to reforming our criminal justice system.  At the center of it all is the troubling fact that “racism and poverty,” are major factors.  Additionally, it’s seems that more “gray” areas are now appearing, where there are unknowns and it keeps us asking the question, “How can we make the system better for all, regardless of race or socioeconomic status?”  I don’t know about you, but it’s time for a change and where all lives matter.  And in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”  What do you think?