Ever since I was young, I’ve known that people are often treated differently simply because of their skin color. There are far too many injustices that’ve been occurring in America -- from people being verbally discriminated against to being killed. As I’m now in my teens and better understand what’s going on around me, I constantly worry for the people I care about, such as my father and brother. Everytime they leave the house, there’s always the thought in my mind that they may face this cruelty plaguing our country. I’m sick and tired of it.
Systemic racism has infected the U.S. for years, especially in the criminal justice system. Last year, 989 people were shot and killed by police officers; the rate of Black Americans killed by police is more than double the rate of white Americans, according to a new report from the United States Sentencing Commission. But it doesn’t stop with law enforcement; it continues to our court system. Black men who commit the same crimes as white men receive federal prison sentences that are, on average, nearly 20 percent longer.
Our criminal justice system needs to be reevaluated so that it protects all Americans equally. Law enforcement needs to create fair and effective policing practices and eliminate the criminalization of poverty. And our court system should encourage equitable sentencing and prosecutorial integrity. This would be an effective start to correcting the criminal justice system.
I want this country to become a place for everyone to live equally and justly, without worry of discimination. We need to come together and make this happen.
Daija Hutchins, Salt Lake City