Question US

Do you think Black Americans are given harsher sentences than White Americans?

Corey September 13, 2007 16:01:49

Foxy Brown was recently sentenced to a year in jail for shoplifting and other petty crimes. In light of Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie's combined 25 hour sentence for far more dangerous crimes (multiple DUIs), one has to wonder, do judges give longer jail time to African Americans?
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Yes. Judges are Racist.
No, Black people just deserve harsher sentences
Does Nicole Richie not count as black?
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  • +6 ! November 20, 2007 01:58:54
    !

    None of the above

    You are asking the wrong question. You should ask if celebrity gets you a break in sentencing.

    I do not believe that race has anything to do with it.


    RWD
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  • ALWAYSAND4EVER September 16, 2009 01:00:01
    ALWAYSAND4EVER

    Yes. Judges are Racist.

    i think that most americans still agree with the rebels that blacks r nothing but in my mind that r just average americans! america is a big bowl of soup! lol with different ingrdients that make up the soup! so we have differnet ppl from africa mexico evrywhere that make up america!! soo judges yes they r racists and they need to give black ppl a break just bc theyre different colors doesnt make them any differnt americans
  • Fannie August 20, 2009 14:45:59
    Fannie

    None of the above

    Justice is blind.
  • Beckwolf July 23, 2009 02:35:03
    Beckwolf

    None of the above

    Generally, black Americans reserve much more conservative sentences than white Americans. To use celebrities as examples to demonstrate the opposite is completely pointless, celebrity crimes is another world altogether. Coming from a family comprised of several police officers in California, the worry of racism complaints has lead this country to a point where the sentencing of blacks has become much more conservative than that which whites see in the same locales for the same crimes.
    Facts are facts, everything from drug cases to theft shows that, in today's times, WHITE Americans get more time than black Americans committing the same crimes in the same places. The fact that more blacks are being prosecuted at any given time than whites says nothing about racism, as it says nothing against the possibility that this just happens because at the point in time being observed more blacks happen to have been committing crimes. That's not racist, it's just where the numbers happen to go.
    To actually use celebrities, the wealthy, or politicians to skew the numbers is immoral and counterproductive to the argument, and only leads people to continue to believe that the opposite of what is happening is the truth.
  • gww INDY Beckwolf July 23, 2009 17:18:44
    gww INDY
    You are so full of $hit! Who ever you may be kin to does not speak to what the facts really are. Your views have been slanted by those officers in you family I guess, but if you get out in the real world and stop believeing only what you are being told, you will find out what the truth is.
  • Beckwolf gww INDY August 15, 2009 00:28:01
    Beckwolf
    "Your views have been slanted by those officers in you family I guess"

    Impossible, since my views are nothing more than a statement created from real world numbers. Having police in the family does not magically make the facts when I state them less credible. Take twenty seconds and look them up for yourself. All of this is public record I'm sure you know, unless you're just the one making assumptions and have never actually seen the numbers.
  • gww INDY Beckwolf August 17, 2009 01:19:40
    gww INDY
    Take a life time and grow up young man. Things have been happening in this country as the status quo even before you were born and still happen under the radar as we speak.
  • Beckwolf gww INDY September 09, 2009 23:44:38
    Beckwolf
    I don't know how old you are nor does it matter, I see nothing to make you more qualified to know what happens under the radar than I. Those who make such comments prove that their answers are mere assumptions. Few can rightfully claim to understand what happens under the radar more than others, and most who do make such claims only hurt their own arguments. The facts are the facts, the numbers are the numbers, and to make such foolish claims as, "well, things happen under the radar, so there" is absurd. I'm sorry, but it doesn't appear that I'm the one who still has some growing up to do. You make your claims through assumptions, I'll stick with the provable and witnessable numbers, thank you.
  • gww INDY July 22, 2009 19:55:51 (edited)
    gww INDY

    Does Nicole Richie not count as black?

    This is a loaded question.
    1st of all facts speak for themselves, if you want to look this up you can.
    Everything from drug cases to theft will show that african americans without pricey lawyers get way more time than whites with the same crime or less.

    If you don't believe me go to a jail in a major metropolitian city or look it up on the net. 10 to 1 for any race, except Asian and Jewish. The overwhelming majority of cases procescuted and time served will always lean in the favor of black americans doing the most time for the same crime.
    (Look at crack cocaine vs powdered cases)

    "FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY" My A$$!!!
    It's more like the "just-them" unless there is money involved!
  • +1
    Will July 22, 2009 16:36:22
    Will

    None of the above

    Yes they are statistically. It is typically easier to believe a person can change if they are more like you. This would result in a lighter sentance. So I think that race does play a part. Mainly it has to do with money. If you can't afford a good lawyer you will serve more time. Change this poll to say do people in poverty get harsher sentences and the results will be the same.
  • +1
    Beckwolf Will July 23, 2009 02:40:37
    Beckwolf
    "Change this poll to say do people in poverty get harsher sentences and the results will be the same."

    That part is partially true. People in poverty almost always see harsher sentences for major crimes, although less for minor crimes as the judges are lenient to petty crimes conducted by those who cannot afford jail time, such as those who must work every day to survive. For example, a minor drug charge quite often is dismissed or the sentence lightened for an individual in poverty, but the fee raised for the wealthy.
    That said, while those in poverty see worse treatment for harsh crimes as they cannot afford high-priced lawyers, it is actually white Americans in poverty that see harsher sentencing than black Americans in poverty, easily explained by the fact that the courts are required to be very careful when considering the level of racial complaints (fraudulent or otherwise) made in today's times. It's the same reason that black Americans in major cities are able to use the race card to talk their way out of tickets by making fraudulent complaints, coming from a family with several police officers (white police officers in LA which makes them a target no matter their actual beliefs...one is married to a black woman and still sees fraudulent complaints many times he pulls over a black speeder even if the guy is going double the speed limit), I hear of this all time.
  • mikebyrd March 25, 2009 02:29:44 (edited)
    mikebyrd

    No, Black people just deserve harsher sentences

    moderated...
  • Bill March 07, 2009 19:07:18
    Bill

    None of the above

    I really don't think so, I think sentencing is handed down as a
    result of the seriousness of the crime, the record of the defendant,
    the outrage of the community to the crime. All judges have state or
    federal guidelines to follow and i'm sure skin color is not a condition
    for sentencing. Sometimes, I believe "money" can play a part in the
    sentence and the one's without "money" might pay a bigger price.
  • gww INDY Bill July 22, 2009 20:18:11
    gww INDY
    I don't have to look at what color you are! For you to make such an uneducated statement! You either just don't get it or just don't care. So I won't waste my time!

    Get your head out of the 50's and wake up!
  • Bill gww INDY July 29, 2009 13:01:37
    Bill
    From one pisces to another but 18 years older, 18 more years of lifes experience's, 18 more years of wisdom. I have seen the inside of a jail, more than
    once, so tell me, smart guy, what color am I?
  • gww INDY Bill July 29, 2009 16:19:48
    gww INDY
    I don't care what color your are, I've seen the inside of a jail on more than once and still go in with my job and my church. I am african american and state such on my profile, I won't leave that for you to guess about. " Skin color is not a condition for sentencing" was what I commented to you about! I stand by what I've said and am not afraid to show who I am. Smart A$$!
  • Bill gww INDY August 05, 2009 14:25:23
    Bill
    85% of the crime is committed by 17% of the population, that "fact" is
    a contributing factor in the sentences handed down by judges. Having
    said that, I guess I disagree with you, skin color is most definately a condition for sentencing and will remain so until the situation is changed.
    I'm saying I agree with that, i'm stating a fact. I guess we need equal
    opportunity criminals. The black population has made many moves up
    the ladder but it's going to take time and they must be educated formally.
    Stay in school, be proud and be positive, then you can compete for the jobs and put crime behind you. (just my observation)
  • gww INDY Bill August 06, 2009 15:05:10
    gww INDY
    Your observation is slanted and prejudice man! If you can't objectively look at the facts and see them for what they are then you sir are ignorant! "85% of crime is committed by 17% of the population" that statement within itself says something about being unfair! When you have mostly white judges, white prosecutors and a white jury, how is that being the peer to a black man? Then check out all of the recent evidence turning up, that was found to have been planted and tampered with, not to speak of what was blatantly over looked. Then those who have spent years behind bars for things that they did not do.
  • Bill gww INDY August 12, 2009 20:18:02
    Bill
    Not slanted nor prejudied, them are the facts. To correct my prior
    reply, I meant to say, "I'm NOT saying I agree with that." And, I agree
    with you totally about things being "planted, overlooked and tampered with" Not only with blacks but a lot of white too. I hate that
    about our system, convict at any cost - it's pure bullsh't - for whomever is targeted. I am for, total - pure - justice - no matter what
    color you are. If you didn't do it, I don't want you in jail - I want the
    guy who did do it in jail. I've been arrested on phoney charges,
    faced life in prison, it has to be the most disgusting, heartwrenching,
    miserable, lost feeling in the world - knowing your fate depends on
    people who don't care what happens to you. I was falsely accused
    by a drunken bitch who said I kidnapped her, held her at gunpoint
    and raped her twice before letting her go when i left for work. - nice
    huh? Later she agreed to drop the charges if I would let her move in
    with me - she was a homeless. I was arrested at my job, dragged home in handcuffs and my home searched, spent a long weekend
    in jail, that was 25 years ago, maybe 30. If she wouldn't have dropped the charges, I wouldn't be here today, talking to you.
    Hell man, i have no prejudices, I wish everyone the very best this
    short life has to offer.
  • kirs March 07, 2009 03:05:08
    kirs

    None of the above

    all this questions r sooo funny and really sad. Its So F**king Simple. Do the crime u gotta do the Time. Famous people get it easy cuz they have money , power, big lawyers, and they r Famous. DUH
  • mikebyrd December 17, 2008 03:04:54
    mikebyrd

    No, Black people just deserve harsher sentences

    moderated...
  • mikebyrd July 11, 2008 07:42:15
    mikebyrd

    No, Black people just deserve harsher sentences

    moderated...
  • +2
    barkbark-247 July 01, 2008 21:15:50
    barkbark-247

    None of the above

    Blacks commit more heinouse crimes than whites.... blacks commit heinouse crimes whites
  • mikebyrd barkbar... March 25, 2009 02:32:52 (edited)
    mikebyrd
    moderated...
  • gww INDY barkbar... July 22, 2009 20:06:33 (edited)
    gww INDY
    Tell Hitler, Charles Manson and the haters that kill Jesus that stupid SH*T that you just typed on your keyboard, you redneck A**HOLE!!

    and the nuts that gave you raves!
  • +1
    mikebyrd May 27, 2008 14:34:32
    mikebyrd

    None of the above

    moderated...
  • +2
    LoKi ~So cool I'm Hot ~ lol May 22, 2008 04:44:56
    LoKi ~So cool I'm Hot ~ lol

    None of the above

    No .. race doesn't matter law is blind to the color of your skin.. The sh!t i hate is when someone is pulled over for speeding or swerving in and out drunkily through traffic and they say "you pulled me over because i'm black"
  • gww INDY LoKi ~S... July 22, 2009 20:19:42
    gww INDY
    I didn't have to see your picture or your neck color, good ole boy!!
  • Beckwolf LoKi ~S... July 23, 2009 02:48:12
    Beckwolf
    Agreed, this happens all the time to the police in my family. I remember one time that really upset a cousin who's an officer in LA. He pulled out two motorcyclists who were going DOUBLE the speed limit, eighty mph in a forty. This was in the middle of the night, and both were covered from head to toe, including gloves and helmets. It was impossible to see their skin color. As soon as they stop, one rips off his helmet and rushes at my cousin calling him a racist pig for pulling over a black man. Again, they were going double the speed limit, but this moron ATTACKED my cousin calling him a racist and all manner of things that shouldn't even be repeated. The other motorcyclist had to hop off his bike and pull the guy off my cousin. The other guy tried to take the blame, admitted he was being reckless, and was willing to accept the punishment, but the other guy tried to take the complaint all the way to court.

    Even without being able to see his skin color, he still tried the excuse that he was only pulled over because he's black. The worst part is, even though he was driving recklessly and his skin color was impossible to determine at the time, he still acted as if he honestly believed that him being black was the reason he was pulled over, as if he should have been allowed...'""
    Agreed, this happens all the time to the police in my family. I remember one time that really upset a cousin who's an officer in LA. He pulled out two motorcyclists who were going DOUBLE the speed limit, eighty mph in a forty. This was in the middle of the night, and both were covered from head to toe, including gloves and helmets. It was impossible to see their skin color. As soon as they stop, one rips off his helmet and rushes at my cousin calling him a racist pig for pulling over a black man. Again, they were going double the speed limit, but this moron ATTACKED my cousin calling him a racist and all manner of things that shouldn't even be repeated. The other motorcyclist had to hop off his bike and pull the guy off my cousin. The other guy tried to take the blame, admitted he was being reckless, and was willing to accept the punishment, but the other guy tried to take the complaint all the way to court.

    Even without being able to see his skin color, he still tried the excuse that he was only pulled over because he's black. The worst part is, even though he was driving recklessly and his skin color was impossible to determine at the time, he still acted as if he honestly believed that him being black was the reason he was pulled over, as if he should have been allowed to do anything he wanted on the road without anyone stopping him.

    Unfortunately we see black racists such as this who believe they're entitled to do anything they want all the time. Thankfully this is only the minority of black Americans who seem to pull this crap, but as long as we have people such as "gww INDY" here proving that black racism is alive and growing, the same old excuses will continue to be used.
    (more)
  • gww INDY Beckwolf July 23, 2009 17:25:44
    gww INDY
    Son I have seen more white people get away with murder (literally) before you were born, and again I say grow up and stop listening to all those policemen in your family, or you will be this ignorant the rest of your life!
  • trinibwoy April 26, 2008 21:32:12
    trinibwoy

    Yes. Judges are Racist.

    i think that they do alot of the times!!! but remember nicole richie is black and hispanic
  • +2
    shadow April 23, 2008 13:43:11
    shadow

    None of the above

    Not when you consider OJ....? That was the most "In Your Face" free ride this country has ever seen....
  • gww INDY shadow July 22, 2009 20:22:17 (edited)
    gww INDY
    How about the 90yr old that admitted that he blew up the church in the 60's that killed the 3 little black girls "in Alabama I believe"?

    Everybody down there knew he did it including the officials! You people sure can remember OJ but what about your own ugly history?
  • shadow gww INDY July 22, 2009 22:42:56
    shadow
    Um.... and what does that have to do with the topic?

    In addition, you might want to make sure some one is what you think they are before you start telling them they have an ugly history......
  • gww INDY shadow July 23, 2009 17:31:20 (edited)
    gww INDY
    Speaking about the American Justice system. It has a lot to do with the subject!

    The 90 yr old in Alabama was a 30 something yr old white male when he killed those little girls. The whole town including the officials knew about it and said nothing. If you don't see what that has to do with the topic. You are as blind as you are prejudice! This same guy was dying of cancer last year and wanted to come clean before he died.

    I spoke to the ugly history of this country, of which I have seen with my own eyes. I know all to well about what I speak about.
  • shadow gww INDY July 24, 2009 02:38:33
    shadow
    You do not know Jack about me...

    Wrong is wrong so quit trying to trump the point... it is unbecoming to anyone who does it in such a spiteful and hateful manner.

    And... for your information, every ethnic group can dig up the same kind of dirt... so let something that ugly stay buried...

    And I know all to well about the things I speak of...
  • gww INDY shadow July 24, 2009 18:39:45 (edited)
    gww INDY
    Can't stay buried because it has never been taken care of! Since you put nothing on your profile, I can take a wild guess about you from your ignorant comments, you are a coward who does not want to be identified! But who really wants to know you? You probably look like your avatar! And you sound angry, you didn't have to tell us that!

    Talk about a terrorist! Maybe they should let Cheney look into your background!
  • shadow shadow July 25, 2009 02:58:50
    shadow
    gww INDY you are such an ass... make false assertions and then block me....

    There is a coward in this conversation... and it is not I. I am glad to see you do understand that you are just "guessing"... and your comments do make you look hateful and ignorant.

    I am identified. I am known as Shadow and more than that is none of your business. What I look like is also none of your business. I see you manage to use an avatar that suits you as well... so get off my back and stop acting like an ignorant ass.

    You are correct. I am angry. I am angry about many things. Right now, this moment I am angry that there are idiots like you making a fool of yourself, with your closed minds and hate filled hearts. Maybe your real name is Gates, Jr.... I could believe that....

    You must be a liberal...you just changed the subject to that of terrorism. I could be a terrorist.... one who will haunt your backside even after you close your eyes...

    But instead of Cheney looking into my background... why don't we have the silent people look into yours.....
  • +1
    Beckwolf gww INDY July 23, 2009 02:55:25
    Beckwolf
    And how about in today's times then, eh? Can you give a single example of a black American TODAY sentenced more harshly to a white American in the same income bracket committing the same crime. If you'd like, I can provide several dozen cases where poor white Americans are sentenced more harshly than poor black Americans. People like you compare rich whites to poor blacks, ignoring the fact that those committing certain crimes make up several races generally within the same income bracket. You don't see Donald Trump robbing 7-11's, you see poor whites, blacks, Hispanics, etc., but it's racists such as yourself that choose to ignore the poor whites and form fraudulent results by comparing the wealthy to the poor and dividing up the races accordingly.

    Hate to break it to you, but rich blacks and whites commit crimes, and poor blacks and whites commit crimes. Try comparing poor blacks and whites, and rich blacks and whites together, not rich whites and poor blacks in the same category. You'll find that the numbers come out very different than what you've been falsely claiming on this site.

    Seriously, a crime from the '60s? Why don't you go back a century and compare the treatment of whites versus blacks then and try to use that in an argument for what is happening today? There's no...
    And how about in today's times then, eh? Can you give a single example of a black American TODAY sentenced more harshly to a white American in the same income bracket committing the same crime. If you'd like, I can provide several dozen cases where poor white Americans are sentenced more harshly than poor black Americans. People like you compare rich whites to poor blacks, ignoring the fact that those committing certain crimes make up several races generally within the same income bracket. You don't see Donald Trump robbing 7-11's, you see poor whites, blacks, Hispanics, etc., but it's racists such as yourself that choose to ignore the poor whites and form fraudulent results by comparing the wealthy to the poor and dividing up the races accordingly.

    Hate to break it to you, but rich blacks and whites commit crimes, and poor blacks and whites commit crimes. Try comparing poor blacks and whites, and rich blacks and whites together, not rich whites and poor blacks in the same category. You'll find that the numbers come out very different than what you've been falsely claiming on this site.

    Seriously, a crime from the '60s? Why don't you go back a century and compare the treatment of whites versus blacks then and try to use that in an argument for what is happening today? There's no difference between that and what you just did. People remember OJ because that was a LOT more recent than your example. That was one of the most RECENT free rides this country has ever seen, Shadow was absolutely right in his comment, and race had a huge impact on the decision, admittedly even, by the jury, which is why he was found so easily guilty in the civil trial that only relied on evidence and not the threat of a riot if he was found guilty.
    (more)
  • gww INDY Beckwolf July 23, 2009 17:40:21 (edited)
    gww INDY
    The past is hard for some of us to forget little redneck!

    Can you say DRUGS!!

    More young black men are in jail for the sale and distribution, but none of them have planes or boats to get the stuff here. The police and other officials still can't get that figured out!

    But as I said earlier if a white man is busted with a kilo of powdered cocaine he will get less time than a black man caught with less weight, just because it is rock. Documented facts to which there are law suits and legal procedures against judges and procecutors in courts across America right now!
  • shadow gww INDY July 24, 2009 02:44:11
    shadow
    Cite your web links and stats to back up these assertions.
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