Several years ago, my mother was selected to serve on a jury considering the case of a black man accused of assaulting a white police officer and resisting arrest. The police officer was originally trying to arrest a different man; the defendant claimed he had become frightened while witnessing the arrest and had merely brushed against the officer accidentally in trying to leave the scene, whereupon the officer had arrested him as well.
During the voir dire process, the lawyers for both sides closely questioned potential jurors – especially those who were white or black – looking for possible racial bias against the police officer or the defendant. When my mother, an Asian-American woman, came up for consideration, both sides immediately chose her to serve on the jury. An Asian-American woman would be impartial when judging a case between a black man and a white one, they reasoned. When the final jury was assembled, the rest of the jurors apparently agreed with the lawyers’ opinion, as they elected my mother their forewoman.
Is it appropriate to take the color of a person’s skin into consideration during jury selection? Or should lawyers focus only on potential jurors’ stated opinions and record of behavior? Do you believe a person’s race could affect his or her ability to judge others fairly?
(For those who wonder, the jury found the defendant guilty of assault, but not of resisting arrest.)
Greetings Brothers & Sisters Of This Great Nation:
Trust this, all is not well and will not be well for at least another generation…
We as Americans and other parts of this world are inbred to judge another’s equality, dignity, character, etc.
I am personally living a nightmare, and even this New Administration, have yet to have time to intervene. That is a bunch of crock… True that, National Health care must and should take center stage…
The problem I have is each Administration, tries to solve the immediate problem, whatever it maybe, without looking at the bigger picture, how did we get here…
I am learned, it is really hard for the pot to call the kettle black, when both sleep in the same bed. The system is corrupt to the extent, I venture to say some of the lawmakers on the “Hill” are still being driven by advice they have received from their predecessors, dead and gone.
As Mr. Ma-doff, people live to beat the system, especially the systems own folks. Where ever and whom ever they be… This system is devised for a hierarchy, the haves and the have nots…
I am not dismayed, I realize these are my last days. I merely pray, I might be an insight for mankind in the coming generations to fruitfully realize, we Americans and the entire world,must allow that life prosper, and change all our ways…
Just getting warmed Up… Will continue to voice what I see of this world in my very own eyes…
My prayer, we live in peace and dignity for all, God says the same… The biggest crimes are in the system… “Big Money, Bigger The Crime”!!!
Will Be In Touch.
why is there still people who set differences between black and white??
why is that some are treating others not equal?? when will it stop??
no one has the right to judge anyone. all of us were created equal by god and therefore should be treated equal.
May I join you?
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Thanks for writing. What do you mean when you say we are all “inbred to judge”? Do you mean it is human nature to judge one another?
Good question. I’m not a sociologist, so I can’t outline any sort of scientific theory. But I think that one must always look at the history between two groups of people to understand current behavior. If two groups have experienced generations of conflict, it will take time for both sides to develop trust and build good relations.
I think for some people fear of the unfamiliar also plays a role, whether they are meeting a person of a different race, a different religion or a different country. I hope the more people learn about one another, the more they will begin to trust each other and eventually — as you say — treat each other as equals.