African Americans in the United States Criminal Justice System

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Recommended: African American history 1865-1900.

Stereotypes are one of the few things every single group in society has in common. Physical characteristics, behaviors, and actions are all things that can be stereotyped in a group. For African Americans, violence and criminal behavior are major stereotypes (Welch 2007). This paper seeks to determine whether or not African Americans are truly more likely to end up in the Criminal Justice system as opposed to those of Hispanic, Caucasian, or Asian background. It will also explore whether or not African Americans are treated differently while in the Criminal Justice System, perhaps because of the aforementioned stereotypes. Origin As one may have guessed, the African American group originated from Africa, in the general region of what is now known as Ethiopia (“Historical” 2007). The Merriam Webster dictionary definition of an African American is an American who has African and especially black African ancestors. Socially, this group is defined by suppression, whether the individuals in the group have experienced it or not. Despite many African Americans being born in America, or other parts of the world, the African American group is still linked to the African continent and slavery (Berlin 2010). Before the Civil War, the group was defined as slaves, whether individuals were living in free territory or not (2010). After the Civil War, African Americans became known as the group that overcame slavery and segregation. African American culture includes strong religious and familial orientation (Schore 2008). African Americans have become known for their “black churches”, especially ones in the South. Families are often close and the elders remain in major roles of the family. They are also hesitant to accept help, especially m... ... middle of paper ... ...(1996). Race and the Criminal Justice System (Cover Story). Crisis. 103 (1). 10. "The New Ethnic Enclaves in America’s Suburbs." Lewis Mumford Center for Comparative Urban and Regional Research. Retrieved from: http://mumford.albany.edu/census/suburban/suburbanreport/subreport.pdf Schore, Robert, and James Railey. (2008) "NKI Center of Excellence in Culturally Competent Mental Health: African Americans.” Retrieved from: http://ssrdqst.rfmh.org/cecc/index.php?q=node/8 “Still not easy being an African-American”. (2013). New African, 47(534), 72-74. Welch, K. (2008 Sept). Black Criminal Stereotypes And Racial Profiling. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 23, 276-288. Williams, Brandt. (2002 Feb 4) "MPR: Problems of Assimilation." Retrieved from: http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/200202/04_williamsb_africans/assimilation.shtml

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