Chapter 8 Deviance/Social Control. Race/Class in the American Criminal Justice System.

                                                                                                                                 




         The Pledge of Allegiance we recite to show honor and patriotism towards our country. It is a very powerful theme/anthem within our country. "With Liberty and Justice for All" duly noted, it means with freedom and fairness. On the contrary American's justice system as a whole is unbalanced. Dispairty is the foundation inwhich the legal justice system functions; which lack liberty and justice.


         Race and Class in the American Justice System by, David Cole addresses issues and valid concerns about how our legal system functions. For instance O.J. Simpson's (The Juice) was on trial for a double murder of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman inwhich O.J. Simpson was acquitted in 1995; which caused and uproar with whites and a sense of victory for blacks. Afro-Americans actually felt a sense of justice, even though evidence collected led a trail right back to him, Afro-Americans/ Minorities still celebrated and cheered. I must say that I myself remember the trail and watched it nearly everyday, I also found myself in favor of O.J. Simpson and actually wanted him to be acquitted as well, even though I felt in my heart of hearts he was guilty.After watching testimonies by countless witnessess testify to his previous violent acts of deviance and his overall charater as a footbal player, friend, husband, and family man; it was clear to see O.J. was definately a well respected man amoungst his fellow peers, he was a likable guy; he was charming. Howver I had to rationalize within myself, the staggering amount of evidence incriminating him on his part. How was he acquitted?  Money! by having financial gain to purchase the best legal team, one that only money can buy. Which sends a clear message to our society that money talks and one can basically rid themselves of anything if they have the means, high social class, and if your are white, even better. I would like to add that though we live in a racially charged society/country, Power really dosen't see color as a factor if you have the means/dividends to do so. Although the jury consisted of a perdominately black jury, along with O.J.'s  fame and social status, I personally feel that it was designed to be that way by the criminal justice system, Inequlaity also is major against woman, Nicole Simpson in my opinion was victimized by our own justice system. My point is, I feel there is another aspect of  ineqiality within his, that is unspoken. Yes, O.J. Simpson had the means to buy justice. However the "universal justice" took care of him, he is now rotting in prosion. Moving along, in a unbalanced justic system that is designed to cater to the haves (those who have the monies, and those tied to power) sending a message that one can be acqitted just by association and those who are financially suited get the green light to continue to live no matter how deviant the acts are, and every once in a while acqutting the lower class to create the balance. The have nots (those who do don't have the means, connections) are basically doomed within the crimnal justice system and moreover doomed by their social class.


        I feel that the higher ups have it dowm to a science to surpress the lower class, and Oppression will always exsist within a corupt society which is driven by captialism. Chapter 6 (Deviance and Social Control) explains what I mean by addressing. Strain theory is very prevalent within poverty stricken enviorments, which creates rebellion, Ritualism and innovation, which is rampant in poverty stricken communities. With so much social control implemented within society, People of a lower socioeconmic class are usually (not all the time) left behind. I feel that the divide and conquer technique is a driven force of power that keeps the rich ricer and the poor pooer. Putting everybody in categories such by race and class seperates us, as long as our norms, and laws are set to segregate human beinr,negative acts of deviance will continue. It's unbalanced and they feel by throwing the dog a bone (the poor) they can go by any means of deviance because the system is set up so that they can be winners and the less fortunate are the losers.


       There are acts of deviance that can actually serve a cause for the better, The Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks taking a stand, as I said before, there are really no more Malcom X's, Martin Luther Kings etc.. to fight for the driven cause. Slavery was another act of deviance that was ended. Howver I feel society still practies these modern day slavery, by having most Americans as economic slavery. We are all slaves to our government one way or the other. I guess Liberty and Justice for all doesn't stand upright. Innocent until proven guilty? No.. Guilty to proven innocent (If you have the means to buy your innocence that is). Unbalanced, Inequality on the Rise.

                                                                                           Merida Angelina~