Uncovering the Blind Eye of Lady Justice Through the Minds of Power

dc.contributor.advisorFeagin, Joe
dc.contributor.committeeMemberFoster, Holly
dc.contributor.committeeMemberMcIntosh, Alex
dc.creatorHill, Candice
dc.date.accessioned2012-07-16T15:58:35Z
dc.date.accessioned2012-07-16T20:31:38Z
dc.date.available2014-09-16T07:28:21Z
dc.date.created2012-05
dc.date.issued2012-07-16
dc.date.submittedMay 2012
dc.description.abstractThis thesis focuses on a relatively new manner of looking into the discretionary decisions implemented bypowerful social actors - judges, prosecutors, and police officers- resulting in detremential effects for African Americans in the criminal justice system. While it is common to look into inequality in the system, there has not been much research done on the frame of thinking of these actors when making these decisions. This study will develop the concept of the "white framing model" while simultaneously demanding change.The white framing model will be developed by linking four theoretical concepts the white racial frame, systemic racism, interest convergence, and Eurocentric law. This thesis found the thinking of these actors from this frame has resulted in surmountable amounts of discrimination and a disproportionate amount of African Americans in prison. Seventy percent of African Americans have reported an experience of a discriminatory nature compared to 36% reported by their white counterparts in their lifetimes. These discriminatory acts are often experienced through interaction with law enforcement agencies that are in place to provide social order. Further results show the overall consequences for black men were being imprisoned 11.8 times more than whites. This study provides evidence that uncovers the covert racist nature of the criminal justice system that can be ignored by the untrained eye. Future work will involve change in policies, people holding these positions, and implementation of these solutions. These policy implementations include demanding a critical mass of African Americans to occupy powerful social positions, and the implementation of programs to reflect assistance for people of color. These solutions will not only provide a representative sample in criminal justice positions, but also make a difference in a system that is often unjust to people of color.en
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2012-05-11111
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.subjectwhite powerful actorsen
dc.subjectdiscretionen
dc.subjectpolice discretionen
dc.subjectprosecutor discretionen
dc.subjectjudicial discretionen
dc.titleUncovering the Blind Eye of Lady Justice Through the Minds of Poweren
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.genrethesisen
dc.type.materialtexten
local.embargo.terms2014-07-16
thesis.degree.departmentSociologyen
thesis.degree.disciplineSociologyen
thesis.degree.grantorTexas A&M Universityen
thesis.degree.levelMastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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