The Zimmerman Jury Told Young Black Men

Victimhood is socially constructed by a dominant culture wherein racism precedes in state procedures, and the liberal principles fail to acknowledge it. Cord Jefferson highlights in “The Zimmerman Jury Told Young Black Men What We Already Knew” the discrimination against people of color specifically the injustice that occurs towards black men in America by public and state officials. Being apologetic for public fear, afraid of getting into a fight and tolerating the indignity of strangers are a few of the racist actions that black men have tolerated for years to avoid being arbitrarily beaten, arrested, or worse being shot to death. The courts and state agencies have been established on the liberal principles and due process rules. As a result,

In a liberal democracy, victimhood is constructed by the dominant culture in society. Bilateral individualism describes victimhood in accordance with liberal principles. A victim, then, is someone who loses physical safety, property, or various other entities because of the actions of another individual (Carter 421). So the role of the state, in accordance with the due process rules, is to punish and deter the transgressor who has caused harm and suffering to his or her victim. However, in this perspective, the courts ignore the unequal opportunities faced by people with color. Stephen Carter’s alternative definition of victimhood incorporates the implications of race in state procedures and decisions. An implication of racism being a greater sentence of a black convict in comparison to a white convict for offenses of the same nature. So under this perspective, a victim is a member of a group that is discriminated against due to a racially oppressive past and a racially charged present (Carter 426). As Carter suggests, the role of the state, then, should be to alleviate the suffering of the victim of racism. Thus, Carter’s alternative definition of victimhood provides a better understanding of the racial prejudice present within society and state

Jefferson highlights the racial discrimination against young, black males are significantly more than any other race making them the most marginalized group in America. Consciously or unconsciously there is public fear of this particular group. This, specifically, occurs due to the history of racial oppression against black males from the white males. A direct consequence of these state actions is felt by black people in everyday life whether it be walking home from work, or going to a basketball game. The bilateral individualist perspective considers that only individuals who have suffered directly by a transgressor are victims (Carter 422). Also, victims and criminals regardless of their color have equal rights to demand justice, and justice should be the same for all. However, Carter suggests that victims are also individuals who have been marginalized due to society’s history and structure. Black individuals have become the permanent underclass within society and therefore have been deprived of the minimal access to equal education and healthcare (Carter 426). Thus, the alternative definition better supports Jefferson’s argument regarding the discrimination against black individuals in comparison to bilateral