African American And Poor People example essay topic

'The Rich get Richer and the Poor get Poorer' Living in the United States of America allows for many freedoms and opportunities to its citizens. Growing up, children learn that in the United States means that everyone is treated equally, and fairly. In addition, one is made to believe that a prejudiced outlook on minorities is a problem of the past. Jeffrey Reiman's article, 'The Rich get Richer and the Poor get poorer,' displays the truth of how the real world is. The article shows a clearer picture as to how destitute and African American people are treated extremely different then Caucasians do. The idea of underprivileged citizens having a greater chance of being arrested, more likely to be sentenced, and punished for a longer amount of time is not how one would think the criminal justice system works.

Nobody wants to acknowledge the fact that hate does still exist in the United States. Most still wants to believe that all people will be treated equally, no matter who they are. Not always what people think is happening in this society is correct. Also, there is a huge difference in poor people being arrested compared to upper and middle-class. Does this mean that poor people cannot slip out of punishment, but rich people can? Some believe this clearly shows that impoverished people are looked down upon in society.

Although it is a hard concept to believe, statistics show that it is true. In 1978, fifty three percent African Americans jail inmates had pre-arrest incomes below three thousand dollars compared with forty four percent of Caucasian inmates. In 1983 the median pre-arrest income of African Americans was four thousand sixty-seven dollars and that of Caucasian inmates was six thousand three hundred and twelve dollars. These statistics provide evidence that both African-American and poor people are more likely to be in jail. (Reiman, 97) There is a better financial outlook though; the poverty rate for African Americans in 2000, is the lowest measured since 1959-the earliest year for which poverty data are available.

The 2000 rate was down from twenty-three percent in 1999. About half-million fewer African Americans were poor in 2000 than in 1999, seven million compared to eight million. In 1998 African American men were making more money then Caucasian women. Now African American women are catching up in the higher pay roll. In 1998 African American women were only one thousand dollars behind Caucasian women. (Black History, 1) Furthermore, what happens to a person suspected of a crime also seems to vary with one's ethnic origin and yearly income.

In many cases, African Americans are being arrested, indicted and convicted more often then Caucasians who commit the same offenses. In addition to those studies many others have shown that African Americans have a poorer chance than Caucasians to receive probation, a suspended sentence, parole, commutation of a death sentence, or pardon. (Reiman, 96). From reading 'The Rich Get Richer and the Poor get Prison' I do agree with the idea that there is discrimination towards the poor and African Americans. I also agree with the idea of functional analysis. Everyone has a reason for being poor or being rich.

If there were no poor people who would do the "dirty" work? If everyone was rich then there would be nobody to do the "dirty" work, then there would be jobs that no one would want to do. The unequal treatment of people should be a major concern of today's citizens. Unfortunately, some do not care to believe that discrimination is a big issue. Reading this article allowed me to see that inequality is a big deal in the future of the world, and needs to be treated with consideration.

If we can treat everyone with consideration and not just look at the person and make a judgment, this world would be a better place.