Write a 4-page argumentative essay on the topic of POLITICS and/or RACE you are presenting. You must use 4 outside credible sources (which will be stated at the end of these instructions). The best databases are Opposing Viewpoints and Issues and Controversies. In an Argumentative Essay, the writer:
• Presents an issue.
• Takes a position on the issue.
• Develops an argument to convince the reader that this position is correct.
Argumentative essays often require research, and they must be from the sources that are stated at the end of these instructions: you must collect evidence that relates to the topic, such as facts, statistics, and quotations from expert sources.
Your goal is to convince your readers that your opinion about an issue (your thesis statement) is valid and important. To accomplish this goal, your essay must state your opinion about the issue clearly.
Your introduction should:
• Grab your readers’ attention with a hook.
• Introduce and define your topic.
• Give any necessary background information.
• Make a claim about the issue (thesis statement) this presents a strong argument and indicates your purpose for writing.
Then you must persuade the readers that this position is right.
Your body paragraphs should:
• Present the main arguments that support your thesis statement.
• Include facts, evidence, and examples that support each main argument.
⁃ You should include at least one reference. This could be a direct quote, a paraphrase, a summary, or a reference to a specific research study.
• Present one or more counterarguments to show that you have considered opposing opinions.
⁃ Your essay needs to be balanced to show that you understand the issue completely. One way to do this is to include an opposing viewpoint or counterargument. Even though you are arguing one side of an issue, you must think about what someone on the other side of the issue would argue.
⁃ Discussing only your opinion makes your essay sound biased, and your readers may not be convinced of your viewpoint.
• Acknowledge counterargument(s) where appropriate and respond to them with refutations.
the United States Sentencing Commission found that Black male offenders received sentences that were 19.1% longer than similarly situated white male offenders. This disparity persists even when controlling for factors such as prior criminal history and the severity of the offense. Such statistics are not isolated incidents but rather indicative of a broader pattern of racial bias within the system.
One key factor contributing to these disparities is implicit bias, the unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions. Judges, like all individuals, are susceptible to these biases, which can influence their perceptions of defendants and their assessments of culpability. A study published in the Stanford Law Review found that even when presented with identical case scenarios, participants were more likely to perceive Black defendants as dangerous and deserving of harsher punishment. This unconscious bias can lead to discriminatory sentencing outcomes, even when judges consciously strive for impartiality.
Furthermore, historical discrimination has created a legacy of socioeconomic disadvantage that disproportionately affects Black communities. Poverty, lack of access to quality education, and limited employment opportunities can increase the likelihood of involvement in the criminal justice system. These systemic inequalities are not the result of individual choices but rather the product of historical and ongoing discrimination. As Michelle Alexander argues in The New Jim Crow, the criminal justice system itself has become a tool for perpetuating racial caste systems, with mass incarceration disproportionately targeting Black men.
Proponents of colorblindness often argue that focusing on race reinforces divisions and undermines the pursuit of a unified society. They contend that emphasizing individual responsibility and treating all defendants equally, regardless of race, is the best way to achieve justice. However, this approach ignores the systemic nature of racial inequality. As Ibram X. Kendi argues in Stamped from the Beginning, the denial of racial disparities is itself a form of racism, obscuring the need for targeted interventions to address systemic biases.
Moreover, the argument for colorblindness fails to account for the lived experiences of Black individuals within the criminal justice system. Black defendants often face harsher treatment at every stage of the process, from arrest to sentencing. They are more likely to be subjected to racial profiling, denied bail, and assigned less competent legal representation. These cumulative disadvantages contribute to the disproportionate incarceration of Black individuals.
To address these disparities, a fundamental shift in sentencing practices is required. This includes implementing implicit bias training for judges and prosecutors, developing sentencing guidelines that account for racial disparities, and investing in community-based programs that address the root causes of crime. Furthermore, data collection and transparency are essential for identifying and monitoring racial disparities in sentencing. Public access to sentencing data can help hold the system accountable and promote evidence-based reforms.
The myth of colorblindness perpetuates a dangerous illusion of equality, obscuring the systemic biases that continue to plague the criminal justice system. Acknowledging the reality of racial disparities in sentencing is not about assigning blame but rather about recognizing the urgent need for reform. Only by confronting these biases head-on can we strive towards a truly just and equitable system.
the United States Sentencing Commission found that Black male offenders received sentences that were 19.1% longer than similarly situated white male offenders. This disparity persists even when controlling for factors such as prior criminal history and the severity of the offense. Such statistics are not isolated incidents but rather indicative of a broader pattern of racial bias within the system.
One key factor contributing to these disparities is implicit bias, the unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions. Judges, like all individuals, are susceptible to these biases, which can influence their perceptions of defendants and their assessments of culpability. A study published in the Stanford Law Review found that even when presented with identical case scenarios, participants were more likely to perceive Black defendants as dangerous and deserving of harsher punishment. This unconscious bias can lead to discriminatory sentencing outcomes, even when judges consciously strive for impartiality.
Furthermore, historical discrimination has created a legacy of socioeconomic disadvantage that disproportionately affects Black communities. Poverty, lack of access to quality education, and limited employment opportunities can increase the likelihood of involvement in the criminal justice system. These systemic inequalities are not the result of individual choices but rather the product of historical and ongoing discrimination. As Michelle Alexander argues in The New Jim Crow, the criminal justice system itself has become a tool for perpetuating racial caste systems, with mass incarceration disproportionately targeting Black men.
Proponents of colorblindness often argue that focusing on race reinforces divisions and undermines the pursuit of a unified society. They contend that emphasizing individual responsibility and treating all defendants equally, regardless of race, is the best way to achieve justice. However, this approach ignores the systemic nature of racial inequality. As Ibram X. Kendi argues in Stamped from the Beginning, the denial of racial disparities is itself a form of racism, obscuring the need for targeted interventions to address systemic biases.
Moreover, the argument for colorblindness fails to account for the lived experiences of Black individuals within the criminal justice system. Black defendants often face harsher treatment at every stage of the process, from arrest to sentencing. They are more likely to be subjected to racial profiling, denied bail, and assigned less competent legal representation. These cumulative disadvantages contribute to the disproportionate incarceration of Black individuals.
To address these disparities, a fundamental shift in sentencing practices is required. This includes implementing implicit bias training for judges and prosecutors, developing sentencing guidelines that account for racial disparities, and investing in community-based programs that address the root causes of crime. Furthermore, data collection and transparency are essential for identifying and monitoring racial disparities in sentencing. Public access to sentencing data can help hold the system accountable and promote evidence-based reforms.
The myth of colorblindness perpetuates a dangerous illusion of equality, obscuring the systemic biases that continue to plague the criminal justice system. Acknowledging the reality of racial disparities in sentencing is not about assigning blame but rather about recognizing the urgent need for reform. Only by confronting these biases head-on can we strive towards a truly just and equitable system.
