Racial disparities among African Americans primarily in the criminal justice system and other areas in society

African Americans are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and known to experience disadvantages in society because of their race/ethnicity. In an effort to understand the barriers that hinder African Americans from equal opportunity; this study explores the possible factors that account for the disparities against the African American population in the criminal justice system and other areas in society. The current studies that exist utilize qualitative and quantitative interviews to collect the perceptions and experiences of African Americans with law enforcement. Findings revealed disparities particularly in the criminal justice system; the disparities are present in traffic tops, arrest, and sentencing. The disparities also exist in numerous areas in society such as academia and socioeconomic status. These disparities illustrate the systematic issues persons in African Americans community may face that prevent them from being fully functioning, adequate, and successful citizens. Implications for local, state, and federal changes are addressed. This open access graduate research paper is available at UNI ScholarWorks: https://scholarworks.uni. edu/grp/154 RUNNING HEAD: Racial Disparities among African Americans 1 Racial Disparities among African Americans Primarily in the Criminal Justice System and other areas in society Juana D. Hollingsworth University of Northern Iowa Racial Disparities among African Americans 2 “The More Things Change the More They Remain the Same” Alphonse Karr Racial Disparities among African Americans 3 Abstract African Americans are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and known to experience disadvantages in society because of their race/ethnicity. In an effort to understand the barriers that hinder African Americans from equal opportunity; this study explores the possible factors that account for the disparities against the African American population in the criminal justice system and other areas in society. The current studies that exist utilize qualitative and quantitative interviews to collect the perceptions and experiences of African Americans with law enforcement. Findings revealed disparities particularly in the criminal justice system; the disparities are present in traffic tops, arrest, and sentencing. The disparities also exist in numerous areas in society such as academia and socioeconomic status. These disparities illustrate the systematic issues persons in African Americans community may face that prevent them from being fully functioning, adequate, and successful citizens. Implications for local, state, and federal changes are addressed.African Americans are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and known to experience disadvantages in society because of their race/ethnicity. In an effort to understand the barriers that hinder African Americans from equal opportunity; this study explores the possible factors that account for the disparities against the African American population in the criminal justice system and other areas in society. The current studies that exist utilize qualitative and quantitative interviews to collect the perceptions and experiences of African Americans with law enforcement. Findings revealed disparities particularly in the criminal justice system; the disparities are present in traffic tops, arrest, and sentencing. The disparities also exist in numerous areas in society such as academia and socioeconomic status. These disparities illustrate the systematic issues persons in African Americans community may face that prevent them from being fully functioning, adequate, and successful citizens. Implications for local, state, and federal changes are addressed. Racial Disparities among African Americans 4