#AdvocacyMatters: The Color of Justice

March 10, 2023 / #AdvocacyMatters

What true justice is there to be found in our justice system when it’s applied inequitably? We have decades worth of research – along with gut-wrenchingly clear examples – that show just how different experiences with our systems of justice are based on one’s race, socio-economic stature, and disability status. It’s human nature to believe that most people are inherently good… that racism and other types of discrimination are the collective works of a few bad apples. Discussing these issues is often uncomfortable, quieting conversations long before meaningful solutions can be identified. All the while, the ways in which our systems of government, systems of law & order, and general systems of society regularly lay bare their inequitable shortcomings.

The only real way to recognize and address these issues is through leadership: Leading conversations, championing changes, and maintaining accountability. These reports and discussions – backed by research and lived experiences – are finally at the forefront of our society, and the time is now to act.

Next month, the Ohio State Bar Foundation will be hosting “The Color of Justice: Racial Inequities in the Justice System.” This virtual event will feature the voices and experiences at the front lines of our justice system, leading discussions on Justice Reform, Mass Incarcerations, and the implicit biases that exist within these systems. You can learn more about this event and register by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3Zs3bmC

Asking these questions and engaging in these conversations – however uncomfortable – is the only path towards an equitable system of justice. Because this #AdvocacyMatters so much to us, we are proud to share this important work by the Ohio State Bar Foundation to drive these conversations forward.