There is no denying that white privilege permeates our society, particularly within the justice system. As a Black woman, I recognize that I navigate a system designed without my interests in mind. While I have never faced arrest or sentencing, I know many Black women who have, including my mother, who served time for drug-related offenses. Visiting her in jail as a teenager solidified my resolve to avoid a similar fate. However, countless Black girls and women are not as fortunate, often caught in a system steeped in systemic racism that continues to persist.
We are currently witnessing a reality where two individuals can commit the same crime yet receive vastly different punishments based on their race. A recent example involved a white woman named Lisa Carter, who embezzled $250,000 from a public institution. Her sentence? A mere two years of probation. Despite stealing a significant sum meant for others, she faces minimal consequences, allegedly claiming the funds were to support her children’s education and other expenses.
In stark contrast, just one day later in the same courthouse, another woman, Sarah Jenkins, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for embezzling $42,000 from a local high school to fund her gambling addiction. Despite the differences in the amounts stolen, both women committed the same offense by misappropriating money that was not theirs. A fair justice system would ideally impose similar penalties, if not a stricter sentence for Carter due to the larger sum involved. Instead, we see a glaring disparity based on race and privilege.
The inequities in sentencing highlight a broader trend of systemic racism that affects Black individuals, particularly women. The U.S. continues to grapple with mass incarceration, where Black and Hispanic Americans face disproportionately harsh sentences. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, as of 2019, over 231,000 women and girls were incarcerated, with a significant portion being mothers. This situation perpetuates cycles of shame, fear, and loneliness that many families, including mine, know all too well.
Organizations like The Sentencing Project strive to shed light on racial disparities within the prison system. Their research indicates that while incarceration rates for Black women have decreased since 2000, they still remain higher than those of white women. Currently, 83 out of every 100,000 Black women are incarcerated, compared to 48 out of every 100,000 white women.
These statistics paint a sobering picture: of the over 330 million people in the U.S., Black individuals make up 13% of the population but represent 40% of the incarcerated demographic. The numbers reveal a stark reality: for every 100,000 people, 2,306 Black individuals are arrested compared to just 450 white individuals.
This systemic injustice extends beyond the criminal justice system and permeates various societal structures, including housing, employment, and healthcare. The notion that individuals can simply “get a job” overlooks the barriers faced by those who have been systematically marginalized since birth. Suggesting that people should move to find better opportunities conveniently ignores the lack of resources and support available to communities of color.
While it’s essential to hold individuals accountable for their actions, we must also confront the underlying systemic racism that perpetuates these disparities. If we turn a blind eye to the injustices occurring daily in courtrooms across the nation, we become complicit in upholding a broken system. The consequences of a felony conviction make it exceedingly difficult for individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities, to find employment, further perpetuating the cycle of poverty and incarceration.
Lisa Carter and Sarah Jenkins’ cases illustrate a troubling reality. Both women committed crimes that warranted arrest, yet the disparate sentencing outcomes reflect the ingrained inequities of our justice system. As a Black woman in America, I understand all too well that the law does not favor me or my community. It’s clear that significant changes are necessary to rectify these injustices.
The past few years have taught us that collective action is essential for change. We must all contribute to dismantling the systems that allow for such disparities, as too many women like Sarah Jenkins remain incarcerated while individuals like Lisa Carter evade serious consequences.
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In summary, the discrepancies in sentencing between individuals like Lisa Carter and Sarah Jenkins underscore the persistent racial inequalities within the justice system. It is vital to address not only individual actions but also the broader systemic issues that contribute to these injustices.