U.S. Department of Justice’s Post

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Systems and processes only work as well as the humans using them. “The Supreme Court has long held that the Constitution prohibits prosecutors from striking Black people from jury service based on their race. Yet the practice continues: Nearly every study of jury strikes has revealed that prosecutors disproportionately use their strikes to exclude Black jurors…. 
The right to a fair trial before an impartial jury of one’s peers is one of the criminal legal system’s most basic principles. But for many Black people, the promise is illusory. 
Black citizens are often completely or substantially underrepresented on juries, especially in death penalty cases. Some are dismissed because they express reservations about capital punishment — often because of its long history of discrimination against Black people. Then prosecutors use their peremptory strikes, which allow each side to remove a set number of prospective jurors for any reason, against those who remain. As a result, all-White juries are still common in criminal trials, even in communities with substantial minority populations.

The Supreme Court prohibited strikes based on race in its 1986 decision in Batson v. Kentucky. The court held that if there is a pattern of strikes that appears to be based on race, prosecutors must show the strikes were for other, race-neutral reasons. The court has reaffirmed this in several decisions since then, including a Mississippi case in which the defendant faced the death penalty and a prosecutor had the opportunity to strike 42 Black citizens in six trials of the same case — and struck 41 of them.
 And yet prosecutors routinely get away with striking based on race because courts fail to scrutinize their often-flimsy excuses, which include such dubious reasons as alleged low intelligence, lack of eye contact with prosecutor, living in a high-crime neighborhood or showing boredom or inattentiveness. A Texas judge observed that courts were so willing to accept “any implausible or outlandish reason” for a strike that it rendered the Supreme Court’s decision in Batson “meaningless.”” https://lnkd.in/g7jphuws

Congressional Republicans enacted the Civil Rights Act of 1866 which was intended to protect the civil rights of Americans of African Descent, who had been freed from slavery in America by the Republican-passed Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Since 2016 Judicial, Legislative and Executive Republicans have begun to dismantle all legislative protections provided to People of Color and Women by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, each enacted by their predecessor party. While that is terrible, it's the silence and inaction of Legislative, Judicial and Executive Democrats that is so disturbing - especially the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues - where are these folks whom we elected to protect our rights?????????

BOOK The New Jim Crow Reprint Edition -The Jim Crow laws were state and local laws introduced in the Southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that enforced racial segregation, "Jim Crow" being a pejorative term for an African American. Such laws remained in force until 1965. -As the United States celebrates the nation's "triumph over race" with the election of Barack Obama, the majority of young black men in major American cities are locked behind bars or have been labeled felons for life. -Although Jim Crow laws have been wiped off the books, an astounding percentage of the African American community remains trapped in a subordinate status--much like their grandparents before them. -In this incisive critique, former litigator-turned-legal-scholar Michelle Alexander provocatively argues that we have not ended racial caste in America: we have simply redesigned it. -Alexander shows that, by targeting black men and decimating communities of color, the U.S. criminal justice system functions as a contemporary system of racial control, even as it formally adheres to the principle of color blindness. -The New Jim Crow challenges the civil rights community--and all of us--to place mass incarceration at the forefront of a new movement for racial justice in America. BOOK DETAILS: By Alexander, Michelle The New Jim Crow Reprint Edition Paperback Paperback by Michelle Alexander (Author) ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ B008NQNMNA https://lnkd.in/dTpXK6cj https://lnkd.in/dTpXK6cj

BI-US, Chapter 1, Justice Unjust – Just-US Choosing from the categories above, I would say that it’s Just-Us; we have to make the difference in how this country manages our lives. We cannot leave it to a pie-in-the-sky hopes that one day “They” will change. Sticking our heads in the sand, or making no effort to try, or ignoring what has made such a difference in our lives, is not a wise choice. What this country has done from the beginning, is to deliberately create laws and judgements making it perfectly legal to kill every aspect of the quality of life for black people, continuously. Often when Federal enactments had fairness and compassion, State & Local levels gave denials. In Part I, of Black In the United States [BI-US] we list Court Rulings. On page 8, we stated that “Constitutional Rights & Laws regarding blacks have been reinterpreted, changed, set aside, and ignored” by our courts. Order your copy on Amazon. This is an area where we have to fight more, and fight harder for freedoms. Our race has largely failed to engage statewide and local levels of participation. It could make all the difference”. This level has been effectively used by the political far-right-wing, against blacks. We are watching the differences State Governors are making in politics and in the quality of our lives. Regarding justice, Governors appoint the judges of our home state. I would venture to say that their elections are on-a-par with Presidential races for office. The easiest and most common area of denial, is what we call our Right to Vote. Governors have a huge impact on how our vote happens, and where. The Electoral College (which was established to prevent dictators from election takeovers) has, and will continue to decide Presidential elections. You’re right, they are determined by the states. Before any case can be considered by the U.S.S.C., it usually comes by-way-of an appeal from the state courts, Are you getting a clearer picture now? It’s JUST-US. Giving greater attention and support to candidates for Governors who are favorable towards us, is a much-needed difference we can be make. We can matter! My book, Black In the United States shows the extent of our oppression through laws and rulings enacted to govern us. The Constitution deliberately left these concerns to the states due to economics, State edicts made their intentions LEGAL, which gave them the right to do ANYTHING & EVERYTHING. They have, in every aspect. Mathew 12:25 KJV, tells us that a house divided cannot stand. There is no question in my mind that the U.S. is a house divided. This is the origin of my book’s acronym of “BI-US”. If these statements rang any bells for you, please leave a comments. Thanks, CW Connect with me on Facebook, for the complete edition of this blog, or see my website - constancewporter.com. or you can follow me on Facebook

Justice Thurgood Marshall once said, "Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on." The spirit of these words echoes throughout the pages of this enlightening tale, encouraging young minds to question, learn, and grow. Have you ever wondered how many justices are seated in the Supreme Court? What distinguishes the chief justice from the associate justices? Or why justices wear those distinctive black robes? "Marquis Goes to the Supreme Court" has the answers! As Marquis and his friends embark on an unforgettable field trip, they delve into the intricate workings of the highest court in the land, unraveling mysteries that pique the curiosity of readers of all ages. Inspired by Real-Life Values: Grounded in the timeless words of Justice Thurgood Marshall, the book instills a sense of responsibility and ownership in children for their country and its democracy. 🌟Get Your Copy Today and Ignite the Flame of Knowledge! "Marquis Goes to the Supreme Court" is not just a book; it's a key to unlocking the doors of wisdom. Join Marquis and his friends on an educational escapade that will leave readers enlightened, inspired, and hungry for more knowledge about the pillars of democracy. Grab your copy today and empower the next generation of informed citizens! https://lnkd.in/eNzpvvYv

Over the weekend, we joined forces in Selma to address the urgent matter of #VotingRights. Meanwhile, our legal team is in Mississippi working alongside ACLU, ACLU of Mississippi, Mississippi Center For Justice, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP to prevent the dilution of Black voting power. Dive deeper into this crucial trial: https://lnkd.in/eVG2iNb4 

🌟 This Juneteenth, reflecting on the journey from historical injustices to modern-day legal disparities. Only 4.8% of lawyers are Black, impacting access to justice for our communities. Imagine a network like our modern-day legal Green Book—ensuring everyone, especially Black individuals seeking counsel, has equitable access to legal resources. Let's empower and uplift each other towards a fairer future! 📚⚖️ #Juneteenth #LegalEquity #AccessToJustice https://lnkd.in/e66hBtDs

Here’s what I’ll be thinking about on Independence Day and it has nothing to do with fireworks. We are in a time where the freedom for Black and Brown people is in jeopardy. Schools are erasing the history of the very people that helped to build this country. Anti diversity, equity and inclusion organizations are pressuring organizations to remove their DEI programs and are winning at it. Black and Brown people continue to experience fragmented public and private health system that only decreases their lifespan. We have a criminal justice system rooted in anti-Blackness due to bias policing. I can go on and the point isn’t to get you upset but to make you uncomfortable. It’s so easy to celebrate a country’s independence when everything is going right for you. But what about those who continue to struggle? When do they get to experience the same liberties as you do in a country they have fought for, paid taxes to, voted and everything else? So yes enjoy this holiday but don’t overlook the real issues that remain when July 5th hits.