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Category: Societal Issues
Date Submitted: 05/15/2012 04:06 PM
Disparity and Discrimination
Kary L. Wilson
CJA/344 Cultural Diversity in Criminal Justice
December 5, 2011
Benjamin Harm
Disparity and Discrimination
This assignment will compare and contrast the terms disparity and discrimination.
Sufficient background and examples of disparity and discrimination from the criminal justice
system will be used to support persuasively the development of each term. First, the term
disparity will be defined, developed, and supported with examples from the criminal justice
system. Second, the term discrimination will be brought into focus, defined, and supported
accordingly. Third, the similarities, and differences between the terms will be brought into
discussion. The assignment will conclude by defining the applicability of the problem as it
relates to these terms and will attempt to suggest a solution in curbing or even eliminating
discrimination and disparity within the system.
It is often said that the American Criminal Justice System directly discriminates against
minorities based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and economic status. To clarify the
credibility of such statement, one must be able to understand that deeply weaved within such
claim stands the issue of disparity. Disparity and discrimination are two important social factors
affecting the American socio-cultural aspects, especially those aspects related to the criminal
justice system. Often, these similar terms are used interchangeably, however, they differ in
many ways.
Primarily, according to Webster’s dictionary disparity is defined as the "lack of
similarity or equality; inequality; difference" or "the state of being different or dissimilar.” This
term involves a lack of equality between individuals or groups. Its meaning includes factors such
as racial composition, offender’s gender, social class, criminal history, ethnic or religious
background, and more recently it even involves...