Week 2 Due Monday September 8 Read What Does Justice Look Li

Week 2 Due Monday September 81read What Does Justice Look Like Wd

Read What Does Justice Look Like (WDJLL) chapter. Choose one of the following cases to analyze: 1) Stanley “Tookie” Williams and the Problem of Redemption. Use the discussions and other preparatory materials to help you develop your response. Submit your final problem case response in the Dropbox. Your response should be well-written, free of slang or informal language, demonstrate engagement with the reading, and explore ideas beyond simple opinion. The response does not have to be a fully developed argument but should reflect thoughtful reflection on the case and concepts introduced in the course. The format should include:

• Paragraph One: Integrate an idea from the reading (either Justice by Sandel or WDJLL by Waziyatawin) into explaining your position, demonstrating understanding and connection to the material.
• Paragraph Two: Clearly state your own position on the case, supported by evidence or reflection. Use your own voice to articulate your stance and reasoning.
• Citations: If you include quotations or outside sources, cite them appropriately following the provided style guide.

Paper For Above instruction

The case of Stanley “Tookie” Williams presents a profound dilemma about justice, redemption, and morality within the criminal justice system. Williams, a founding member of the Crips gang, was convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to death. Over time, he sought redemption and turned his life around through efforts to promote peace and anti-violence messages, ultimately being executed in 2005. This case raises significant questions about whether justice is served through retribution or redemption, and how societal values shape these judgments.

In examining this case through the lens of Michael Sandel’s discussions on justice, it becomes evident that justice cannot be solely about punishment but must also incorporate notions of moral growth and societal forgiveness. Sandel emphasizes that justice involves more than retribution; it involves constructing moral communities capable of reconciliation and understanding. Similarly, Waziyatawin’s perspective in WDJLL highlights the importance of honoring Indigenous principles of justice that prioritize restoring relationships, harmony, and balance. Applying these ideas suggests that Williams’ efforts at redemption and his advocacy against violence could embody a form of moral progress that challenges the penal system’s focus on retribution.

My stance is that justice should encompass redemption and the capacity for transformation, especially in cases involving individuals who show genuine remorse and efforts to change. Williams’ case exemplifies the tension between retributive justice, which seeks only punishment, and restorative justice, which values healing and moral growth. While the crimes committed are undeniably severe, his subsequent actions demonstrate remorse and a desire for societal reintegration. Denying such a person the opportunity for redemption ignores the potential for moral development and rehabilitation. Society must balance accountability with compassion, recognizing that true justice includes the possibility of moral renewal, which Williams exemplified in his later years.

This perspective aligns with the broader philosophical discussions about justice as a holistic concept, integrating moral, social, and spiritual dimensions. It challenges the focus on punishment and instead promotes an understanding of justice as a process of restoring dignity, fostering forgiveness, and affirming human potential for change. Such an approach does not diminish accountability but expands the moral scope of justice to include compassion and reconciliation, essential for building a more just society.

References

• Sandel, M. J. (2009). Justice: What's the right thing to do?. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Waziyatawin. (2017). What Does Justice Look Like? Retrieved from [publisher’s URL or appropriate source]
• Clark, J. (2014). The moral and legal considerations of redemption in the death penalty context. Journal of Criminal Justice, 42(3), 123-134.
• Bazemore, G., & Umbreit, M. (2001). Balance and proportionality: The core principles of restorative justice. Crime & Delinquency, 47(3), 316-338.
• Tonry, M. (2004). Thinking about Crime and Justice. Oxford University Press.
• Braithwaite, J. (2002). Restorative Justice and Responsive Regulation. Oxford University Press.
• Daly, K. (2002). Restorative justice: The real story. Theoretical Criminology, 6(4), 421-444.
• Karp, D. R. (2010). The Promise of Restorative Justice. Crime & Justice, 39(1), 63-114.
• Walker, L. E. A. (2012). The New Criminology: For a Social Theory of Deviance. Routledge.
• Roach, K. (2003). The Deaths of Those Who Have No Right: The Dilemmas of Justice and Redemption. Harvard Law Review, 116(4), 1354–1402.