Don’t think racism in the United States is an issue? Then, I’m sure John Green will make you think again:
<span class=”redactor-invisible-space”></span>Let’s talk about just a few of the examples Green mentions, starting with the criminal justice system. First off, most white people don’t even think there’s a problem.
But black people serve longer sentences than whites when convicted of the same crime.
They are also punished more harshly when it comes to drugs.
In the job market, black people are discriminated against just on the basis of their name.
And unsurprisingly, minorities get worse health care.
I could go on (and Green does), but the bottom line here is that claims of systemic racism are clearly backed up by data.
However, it’s not just the numbers we should be concerned about. We have to listen and honor the voices of those who have stories to tell.
