Question 1
In his speech to the NAACP, President Barrack Obama talked of the injustices in the criminal justice system including, racial profiling, incarcerating petty offenders for long periods of time and different sentences are given according to color. He also mentioned the stringent laws that lead to the failure of the justice system in helping convicts to reintegrate into the society (President Obama Addresses The NAACP's 106Th National Convention). Obama stated that there has been news of police racially profiling people during arrests, with people of color being targeted. He also said that the jailing of petty offenders is costly for the state, and also negatively impacts the society especially Latinos and African Americans who are mostly affected. The president also commented on the need to change the law to ease the reintegration of ex-convicts by allowing them to vote and prohibiting employers from seeking criminal history.
The president made valid points since America’s criminal justice system has been tainted by evidence of inequity. A justice system should be seen to be fair in dealing with crime, and impartial in its treatment of offenders. On the reintegration of criminals, it is helpful if the law facilitates this process as it is a way of preventing further crime. However, I do not agree with the part on employees being stopped from seeking criminal history. This information is essential for the safety of the community. The law should be made to direct employers not to discriminate against petty offenders, but not to deter them from getting this important information.
Beyond the rationality that informs criminal justice, that is, truth, law, and justice, Obama espouses components of the African theory of justice that bases justice on love. His call for fairness appears like a cry for the judicial system to apply love in the correction system and not unduly punish petty offenders and to allow the convicted back in the community, with love.
Question 5.
There are several theories that have been put forth concerning justice and ethics. Some of the theories share common ideologies while others differ on fundamental principles. The general principles of justice and Islamic values have a lot in common. Philosophies like Ubuntu and Pan-Africanism express the need for unity and hence prosperity. The primary goal of these theories is to unite members of a community for a good course. The general principles of justice were driven by the belief that in unity, people can achieve more. Care for others and acknowledgment of our differences is highlighted in the theory of capabilities (Rawls 66).
In the Islamic world, good ethics is critical in relating to each other. The teaching of the Quran and Sunna stress the need for good morals and ethics among Islamic believers. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) tells a story of a fasting woman who used abusive words to her neighbors. The Prophet condemns the woman and states that she deserves to die. Fasting is a symbol of strong faith in Islamic doctrines. The fasting woman by abusing her neighbors foregoes all the other good things she has done. One has to observe all ethical teachings and should not be biased in keeping them. This narration encourages the need to care about each other (Rawls 80).
Care and love for one another are core in theories like Ubuntu and Pan-Africanism. Pan-Africanism lays a foundation for Africans to unite and care for each other. This is for the sake of the welfare and well-being of each. An example is Africans living in the United States forming organizations and looking out for each other. During Ramadhan, Muslims are taught to share what they have with the less fortunate in the society (Rawls 98).
Question 7.
Black Consciousness was a term coined to enlighten black people of their standards and values. White people dominated everything, and black people played subservient roles in the society. Some black people were beginning to accept the status quo, and this did not please Steve Biko and others who stood up for equity. In one of his essays, Biko states the need for "Genetic make-up and rare quality that makes a man willing to die for the realization of his aspirations". The movement was formed majorly to make people aware of their rights and encourage them to fight for the same. In their policy document blacks were defined as individuals who are by tradition or law economically, socially and politically discriminated against in South Africa (Levine 25).
The Black Lives Matter Movement in the United States has similarities with the Black Consciousness Movement. Both the movements were formed to fight for the rights of the oppressed. The Black Lives Matter is a movement that fights against extrajudicial killings by the police and vigilante groups. Black Lives Matter Movement also takes care of the physically challenged and special people in the society. The formation of Black Lives Matter was fueled by the discriminate killing of blacks by vigilantes and the police. This is similar to Black Consciousness Movement formed to fight capitalist exploitation, deliberate oppression and white supremacy in South Africa (Levine 34).
There are a few differences between Black Consciousness Movement and Black Lives Matter Movement. Whereas Black Lives Matter Movement exclusively fights for the rights of black people, Black Consciousness Movement fought for every oppressed South African. Both Movements were however formed with a similar purpose of fighting oppression (Levine 110).
Works Cited
Levine, Lawrence W. Black Culture and Black Consciousness: Afro-american Folk Thought from Slavery to Freedom. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977. Web. 10 May 2016
President Obama Addresses The NAACP's 106Th National Convention. Washington DC: The White House, 2015.Video. 10 May 2016
Rawls, John. A Theory of Justice. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1999. Web. 10 May 2016
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