Two Justice Systems

Some people don't believe or understand in the saying "there are two justice systems in America". Some feel that whenever such claims are made, they point to rare extremes, and even those are never as transparently racist as they seem. To others, however, racial injustice is a daily truth. The victims live with its effects everyday, whether it be sitting in a jail cell for seventeen years(See: Tyrone Brown), or dealing with such effects for the rest of their lives. Just yesterday in South Carolina, two female teachers were arrested for allegedly having sex with six of their male students, ranging from eleven to fifteen years in age. It is a tragedy when such crimes are committed against any youth, but many see another case of the two systems at work. Imagine the same scenario- two teachers and six students- with the racial roles reversed. Many are upset in their seemingly easy treatment, but what concerns me the most is what they will be charged with. Pamela Rogers, a white teacher, was plead guilty to having sex with a thirteen year old student, and then violating her probation by sending nude videos of herself to the same boy. She was charged with four counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, then later, two counts of solicitation of sexual exploitation of a minor. It took a while, but I finally found a similar case involving a black female teacher. Marcia Amsterdam had sex with a thirteen year old student, but was charged with second degree rape, second degree sex abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child. Similar crimes- Teacher and thirteen year old- but very different convictions.

The only difference I can see is that Marcia Amsterdam is black.

But there are tons of other, seemingly clearer, instances of racial injustice( see: Just Plain Injustice for some examples). These cases are but the tip of the iceberg. The point is, that we need to bring an end to race fueled inconsistencies in the justice system once and for all. But progress can begin until more people acknowledge there is a problem. A big problem.

Last week, it was Tyrone Brown. Tuesday, it was Shaquanda Cotton. Yesterday, it was two teachers in South Carolina. I'm not going to stop until racial and judicial inequality are just bad memories, because I want my children to have a better tomorrow.