Social Construction

Introduction The concept of race has long been discredited as a legitimate biological marker of difference. Instead, it is viewed as a construct, shaped and sustained by societal forces and historical events. This social construction of race has played an important role in creating and maintaining power dynamics that benefit some groups while oppressing others. According to Thompson and Newell (2021), the disproportionate incarceration rates of Black and Brown populations are more than a statistical anomaly; they are evidence of the CLS's structural racism. Stardust et al. (2021) echoes these sentiments, delving into the stigma associated with certain professions and the additional layer of prejudice this imposes on already marginalized racial …show more content…
The Social Construction of Race: The concept of race has long been debunked as a legitimate biological marker of difference. Instead, it is understood as a construct—forged and perpetuated by societal forces and historical contingencies. This social construction of race has been instrumental in crafting and maintaining power dynamics that privilege some groups while subjugating others. As Thompson and Newell (2021) articulate, the disproportionate incarceration rates of Black and Brown populations are not a mere statistical anomaly but a testament to the structural racism embedded in the CLS. Stardust et al. (2021) echoes these sentiments, delving into the stigmatization attached to certain professions and the additional layer of prejudice this casts onto already marginalized racial groups. The social construct of race thus serves as a pivot around which the machinery of the legal system operates, often to the detriment of racial …show more content…
The narrative that minorities are predisposed to criminal behavior is a myth that has been systematically debunked, yet it persists in the collective psyche, influencing both public perception and judicial decisions. Thompson and Newell (2021) provide a critical analysis of how these stereotypes guide the hand of justice to meet out harsher sentences to individuals based on the color of their skin. Stardust et al. (2021) examine the intersectionality of race and profession, specifically how the criminalization of sex work is exacerbated for those already burdened by racial stigma. This section of the paper would benefit from a more exhaustive review of empirical studies that illustrate the extent to which racial stereotypes sway the sentencing process, examining both qualitative and quantitative data to paint a comprehensive picture of this dynamic. A Multifaceted Policy for Change: To dismantle the entrenched biases within the sentencing system, a multifaceted approach is required—one that goes beyond surface-level reforms to address the foundational issues of structural racism. This paper proposes a four-pronged policy approach, drawing on recommendations from Thompson and Newell (2021) and Stardust et al. (2021), aimed at achieving a more equitable legal system. 1. What is the difference between a.

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