A life sentence for being white? If the roles were reversed would you care? Would there be an up roar throughout society? If you answered yes to this question or had to think about it, clearly something is wrong.
Institutional racism and injustice is still very prevalent in the Criminal Justice System (CJS). Black teens receive longer prison sentences than their white peers. 1 in 4 black teenagers convicted of homicide were given maximum jail sentences. Not even one white teenager has received more than a 10-year sentence.
“If you’re black, you’re treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than if you’re white.” Clearly, racism within the CJS is not a thing of the past as many have suggested. The quote above is from Theresa May’s first speech as prime minister. Although a very unexpected acknowledgement, it brought relief to many that this issue was finally being addressed and recognised publicly.
These types of injustice will always cause a divide and make worst any problems that exists. The government have acknowledged the problems. Now, affirmative action needs to be used, not only in employment but within the CJS. Black lives matter, not just when it comes to meeting diversity and equality quotas.