Running Head Assignment

Running Head Assignment

ASSIGNMENT 6 Assignment Name Institution Introduction Sociology entails the study of human social behavior and their origin, development, organizations and institutions. This means that the subject is crucial as it uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis that develops a body of knowledge regarding human social actions, social structures and roles. The project reflects how a mother of three young black boys often thinks of their futures in relation to today’s society. That is at least one of them is expected to go to prison at some point in their lifetime, the mother is so saddened. According to the bureau of Justice Statistics, one in three black men in America will spend time in jail in their lifetime.

On the other hand, people of color make up 30% percent of the United States’ population and account for sixty percent of imprisoned characters. The disparity in social justice and characters deter that racial discrimination has a role in justice system across the world (Alexander, 2010). That is, the disproportionate rates of incarceration in communities of color are a direct reflection of racial disparities in the criminal justice system in the United States. Since 1780, the discipline has seen great transformation. In this discourse, we are going to discuss racial disparity in the justice system in the U.S.

Sociology and social injustice

The case is a social case and it fits in the field of sociology since the disparities are directly brought about by race. Positivism principles deter that one should conduct sociology in broad and the same manner as natural science. An emphasis regarding empiricism and scientific means is sought to enhance a tested foundation for sociological research, which is based on the supposition that the only authentic knowledge, and that knowledge can only arrive by positive affirmation through scientific methodology. The term has no longer its meaning since there are fewer than twelve distinction epistemologies that reflect positivism. Anti-positivism, on the other hand, entails reactions against social empiricism that opposes positivism regarding it as uncritical, and determinism.

Applerouth & Edles (2008) argue that positivism cases are mechanistic. The black community is being discriminated against by the white community in the United States because of its race. This is exhibited inequality by the criminal justice system. It does make sense that the minority community in the nation will make up the majority number of people in prisons. There must be something wrong, which is eventually leading to this.

Either, the blacks are being unfairly arrested and sentenced, or the whites are being favored during sentencing, thus getting simple penalties (Alexander, 2010). It can also be assumed that the resources are unevenly distributed, whereby the blacks are unable to get them in order to sustain themselves. This eventually leads them to crime, thus ending up in prison. This conforms to the conflict theory, which says that society is composed of groups fighting for the limited resources. In the end, the community with more resources also acquires power, which it uses to control those with little resources.

In this case, the white community has a lot of resources, hence power, thus using it to control the blacks, who have very little resources. This has, in turn, led to whites being more favored than blacks. This discrimination manifests in various forms. For example, in schools, black students are easily suspended or given harsh punishments for doing simple mistakes. This is unlike their white counterparts, who receive weak penalties. For instance, when a black student fails to complete her or his assignments, she is usually awarded zero grades.

This is not usually the case with white students, as they are usually given more time to finish assignments. For example, in 2006, two students of different races got into a fight. The white student seriously injured the black student since he was older. When the incident was reported, the black boy was suspended for a month, despite being injured. The white student was only required to come with his parent the next day. The black student was blamed for starting the fight, despite witnesses indicating otherwise (Haralambos & Holborn, 2011). This situation exemplifies the social phenomenology theory, as decisions were made based on race rather than the situation.

Remaining questions and research directions

While a considerable amount is known about racial disparities in the U.S. justice system, significant gaps remain. It is well established that systemic discrimination exists, given the disproportionate incarceration rates of African Americans, who represent over 60% of the prison population despite constituting approximately 13% of the general population (Alexander, 2010). Moreover, evidence suggests that black individuals often receive longer sentences compared to whites for similar crimes.

However, the underlying reasons for these disparities are still not fully understood. Questions persist regarding the role of judicial bias, socioeconomic factors, prosecutorial practices, and implicit racial stereotypes in sentencing decisions (Clear & Cramer, 2017). Additionally, it remains unclear why early experiences of discrimination and socialization lead to higher involvement in criminal behavior among Black youth. The social dynamic that perpetuates such inequalities, including implicit bias among law enforcement and judicial actors, warrants further multidisciplinary investigation.

Proposed research methodologies and potential solutions

A comprehensive sociological research approach employing mixed methods—quantitative analysis of sentencing data and qualitative interviews with criminal justice personnel—can deepen our understanding of these disparities. Quantitative methods would document disparities’ extent and correlations with variables like crime type, socioeconomic status, and race. Qualitative approaches would explore perceptions, biases, and decision-making processes behind sentencing practices (Mears et al., 2018).

Such research can identify specific points of intervention, including bias training, policy reforms, and community programs aimed at reducing inequalities. Data-driven reforms could include standardized sentencing guidelines, increased oversight, and community-based alternatives to incarceration. Educational programs emphasizing racial awareness and cultural competence among justice officials could mitigate implicit biases. Broader societal reforms addressing structural inequities—such as access to quality education, employment opportunities, and healthcare—are essential for long-term change (Alexander, 2010).

Conclusion

Despite the abolition of slavery, racial discrimination persists subtly within the criminal justice system. The disproportionate incarceration of Black Americans and longer sentencing reflect systemic inequalities rooted in historical segregation and ongoing structural disadvantages. While extensive knowledge exists about the scope of these disparities, understanding the nuanced mechanisms requires further empirical research. Addressing these issues demands multi-layered strategies—policy reforms, judicial accountability, community empowerment, and societal commitment to equity. Only through such comprehensive efforts can the nation move toward a more just and inclusive criminal justice system.

References

• Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press.
• Clear, T. R., & Cramer, D. (2017). The punishment imperative: The rise and failure of mass incarceration in America. NYU Press.
• Haralambos, M., & Holborn, M. (2011). Sociology: Themes and perspectives (7th ed.). Collins Educational.
• Mears, D. P., Cochran, J. C., & Cullen, F. T. (2018). Corrections: A contemporary introduction. SAGE Publications.
• Nelson, A. (2011). Body and soul: The Black Panther Party and the fight against medical discrimination. University of Minnesota Press.