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Comment by im3w1l | Hacker News Reader

I hope you don't mind me asking you this.

I've had this idea, that I think may make the situation better. They idea is that in black-on-black, as well as victimless crimes, the defendant is allowed to be judged by a jury of black people. Then the black community can decide for itself what punishments are best for the community, and could give more lenient punishments if the current ones are seen as harsh enough to be harmful.

Do you think it could work?

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Are you American? If so, why do you think the parent is more qualified than you to answer such a question? What if only all-white juries were allowed to prescribe punishment for white defendants? I think there are much better solutions to the problem than the one you suggest (the recent crack/powder cocaine sentencing reform is one). You'll have to ask why congress has refused to enact laws that would reduce disparity in sentencing.

This just sounds like another version of separate but equal. I understand the logic, but we want to work toward one big united community, not legally define racial communities. It's pretty obvious historically that separation doesn't work at all.

separation doesn't work for what?

It doesn't solve the problems of racial inequalities, and it generally makes them a lot worse.

Interesting point. A fraternity brother of mine was in a documentary called Gideon's Promise. The tragedy is that many of the people that get incarcerated never make it to court. The accused end up with underfunded, overburdened public attorneys They might end up taking a very bad plea deal.

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