There Are No Children Here By Alex Kotlowitz

890 Words2 Pages

In the American criminal justice system, we are often led to believe that they serve for the good of the people, but have we overlooked that these intentions may truly be for the good of themselves? In the novel, There are No Children Here, written by Alex Kotlowitz, motives behind decisions made by the criminal justice system are revealed, shining light on an unbiased truth which begs the question: Can we even rely on our justice system to protect us, if they can’t do the same to those who have a different skin color? There is an unfortunate shadow of devastation in many corners of this book, reflecting how the American justice system has failed to bring their so-called justice to many Americans due to their own selfish, mercenary agendas. One of the biggest tragedies …show more content…

Additionally, Craig’s aspirations guided the community, allowing them room to believe they also had the opportunity for a better life. Along with that, he was a kind and respected figure who many people looked up to. Because of this, his death was especially tragic, but his innocence also made his homicide even more mournful for the people who knew the truth. Kotlowitz stated, “The room seated two hundred, but at Craig’s funeral an additional fifty to a hundred mourners stood along the walls, overflowing into the hallway outside” (Kotlowitz 204). This proves how many people cared about Craig and how his inequitable death painfully influenced the community. It also proved how little the public outside of the projects cared about what happened within, since their perspective was tainted by the cruel, unnerving article published addressing his death. Another way of looking at this is through the mindset of his loved ones; Lafeyette, Pharoah, Craig’s mother, father, and girlfriend all care deeply about

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