Blacks in Criminal Justice
Isaiah Powell
Barbra York
English Composition 102
Research Essay (Final)
30 November 2007
Guilty By Race
“GET THE FUCK ON THE GROUND NOW!” As soon as we turned we saw two African-American teenagers several years younger than us, with silver and black guns pointed directly at our heads. I would’ve never thought in a million years I would be a victim of aggravated robbery (becomes aggravated when a weapon is involved). I livedin my neighborhood for almost twelve years and never once felt afraid to walk alone at night. That night, I was walking home from my grandmothers with a friend; it was only a fifteen minute walk. The street we were walking down was a well lit,rural street, with cars driving through regularly. This area was one of the few places I would’ve thought of being victimized. As we lay on the ground, we were searched for valuables. As I was lying in the middle of the street, one of the guys explained to me, “IF YOU EVEN MOVE YOUR HEAD AN INCH, I’LL BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT!” After the mugger’s comment I felt him place the cold, hard gun to my head. It was the scariest moment in my life; my whole body was trembling with fear. Once the second gunman cleared my friend’s pockets, the two took off running. The moment they left they fired off several shots. We remained on the ground for five, long minutes. Afterwards we got up, sprinted the remaining distance to my house, and then called the police. I’ve never considered being robbed by an African-American because I don’t associate crime with a color, but after being robbed at gun-point it makes it extremely difficult not to. But instead of blaming an entire race, I sat aside my differences. This is not the case for others. Author Barry Glassner writes, “when it comes to race, the more obvious the pattern the more obscure it seems,” (Glassner 114). When we first hear about crimes that are committed, we automatically assume that the assailant is guilty. Yet often in time it’s not the case.
Barbra York
English Composition 102
Research Essay (Final)
30 November 2007
Guilty By Race
“GET THE FUCK ON THE GROUND NOW!” As soon as we turned we saw two African-American teenagers several years younger than us, with silver and black guns pointed directly at our heads. I would’ve never thought in a million years I would be a victim of aggravated robbery (becomes aggravated when a weapon is involved). I livedin my neighborhood for almost twelve years and never once felt afraid to walk alone at night. That night, I was walking home from my grandmothers with a friend; it was only a fifteen minute walk. The street we were walking down was a well lit,rural street, with cars driving through regularly. This area was one of the few places I would’ve thought of being victimized. As we lay on the ground, we were searched for valuables. As I was lying in the middle of the street, one of the guys explained to me, “IF YOU EVEN MOVE YOUR HEAD AN INCH, I’LL BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT!” After the mugger’s comment I felt him place the cold, hard gun to my head. It was the scariest moment in my life; my whole body was trembling with fear. Once the second gunman cleared my friend’s pockets, the two took off running. The moment they left they fired off several shots. We remained on the ground for five, long minutes. Afterwards we got up, sprinted the remaining distance to my house, and then called the police. I’ve never considered being robbed by an African-American because I don’t associate crime with a color, but after being robbed at gun-point it makes it extremely difficult not to. But instead of blaming an entire race, I sat aside my differences. This is not the case for others. Author Barry Glassner writes, “when it comes to race, the more obvious the pattern the more obscure it seems,” (Glassner 114). When we first hear about crimes that are committed, we automatically assume that the assailant is guilty. Yet often in time it’s not the case.
Cited: Glassner, Barry. The Culture of Fear. New York: Basic, 1999. “Key Events in the Controversy Over Racial Profiling.” Issues & Controversies On File 25 May 2007. Issues & Controversies @ FACTS.com. Facts On File News Services. 16 Nov. 2007 . Siegel, Larry. Criminology: The Core. Wadsworth Publishing, 2007. “Update: Crime and Race.” Issues & Controversies On File 25 May 2007. Issues & Controversies @ FACTS.com. Facts On File News Services. 16 Nov. 2007 http://www.2facts.com.