Has Black America EVER had faith in the Judicial System?

By Andre J. Thomas

December 29, 2015

After hearing about the no indictment outcome regarding the officers who killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice, like many others, I went to social media to see how people were going to respond.

Unlike others, I’m not here to deliver rhetoric that will rile people to destroy their communities or to protest.

I can’t even take a claim to be in expert in the opinions of Black America nor can I claim to say that I’m an expert in the legal process. I can only claim ownership to my perception of how I viewed the public reaction and share content that I hope will cause black America to think of unique ways to engage Black America on their role of enhancing the judicial system so that it’s fair for all people.

I will say that this blog has been forthcoming for a while. Months ago, I had the honor of working alongside my good friend, Jefferson County Assistant District Attorney Danny Carr on a mini-documentary titled, “Blacks and the Judicial System!”

I believe blacks are emotionally hurting from the continual abuse by an unjust system. My only question is what exactly must happen before we become passionate enough to mobilize as a collective union. We have become so materialistic in our designer clothes that we are afraid to go against the grain because we fear losing friends on social media. However, your life and mines depends on whether or not we have equality in the judicial system. Is the #blacklivesmatter just a commercialized slogan or is it a reality? These stories may not have happened in your city or to someone you know. BUT, the next time it may be you!

Attorney Carr’s intent for making this documentary was to show attorneys how blacks viewed the judicial system. The essential question he tried to address was “How can we give blacks a fair trial, if we don’t truly understand their experience or perception of the judicial system.” Working with Attorney Carr, I realized that blacks have to believe in the judicial system in order to feel comfortable with the attorney, the jury, law enforcement agencies and others. Until the system renders opportunities to show its fair treatment of all people, it will forever be a broken system that will never meet public expectations.

One interviewee’s response sums up how I believe blacks are beginning to feel when they’re approached by law enforcement.

Click Here to view the interview.