I have committed minor crimes as a young person (IE smoking marijuana) But as a little white girl I never got in trouble for it.
Can't say the same about my minority counterparts.
here is the problem I have, making this a "racial issue"
this is not about race, has not been for quite some time, it is about socio-economics
wealthy people get "better justice" - they always have
I will give you a personal example
I got arrested for a DUI in Atlanta back in 2000 or 2001
the ACDC was a very interesting place (Atlanta City Detention Center)
Atlanta, GA is AT LEAST 70% black & was at that time as well. The mayor, police chief & most of the city council arer black folks, or most of them are anyway...
So yes, I DID feel like a piece of cotton in the coal mine that night. There were people in there for FARE EVASION, there were definitely a bunch in there for possesion of small amounts of weed (likea joint)
I saw a guy get SIXTY days for "fare evasion" (IE - hoping the rail onto the MARTA train without buying a token)
But the thing is, black folks run that damn city - so it ain't "******" bringing the hammer.
Again, it is a class issue. I can promise you this, if my 16 year old son get arrested for a petty deal like that, he WOULD NOT get 60 days.
Another thing, if there was actual "equity in sentencing" & wealthier people faced the same amount of jail as poor people do, laws would be re-written