Date of Award

Spring 5-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Degree Program

Sociology

Department

Sociology

Major Professor

Dr. Jeffrey Parker

Second Advisor

Dr. D'Lane Compton

Third Advisor

Dr. David Beriss

Abstract

Laws and institutions in the United States have consistently marginalized people of color throughout the country's history. This research examines the United States' criminal justice system while considering how the country’s past of oppression has resulted in a racially biased system. Through analysis of policies, literature, and quantitative data, the primary goal of this research is not only to exhibit that racial discrepancies exist within the criminal justice system, but also to question how they persist in order to determine a solution. By utilizing both qualitative data collected through existing social theory as well as quantitative data showing varying perceptions of the American criminal justice system, the mixed method approach to this research strives to demonstrate that when it comes to justice for all, both the source of racial bias and thesolution can be found in observing a history of colonialism and the pervasiveness of white privilege.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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