Application: pioneers of diversity in criminal justice professions
Jackie Robinson is one of the most famous historical figures who challenged racial segregation in the late 1940s. Robinson broke the race barrier in Major League Baseball when he became the first black man to play for a team in the previously whites-only league.
Robinson was not the only individual to challenge segregation and push for greater representation of minority groups in professional arenas. In criminal justice professions, many individuals have acted as “pioneers,” breaking racial and ethnic barriers and pushing for greater equality. In 2009, Sonja Sotomayor became the first Hispanic justice for the Supreme Court of the United States. Sotomayor started her legal career as an assistant district attorney in New York. She overcame many challenges related to her ethnicity to advance in her career and end up on the Supreme Court. Sotomayor opened the door not only for Hispanics, but also for women, as she is only the third female justice for the Supreme Court.
For this Assignment, search for and select an individual who broke racial and ethnic barriers in the field of criminal justice. Consider his or her role in the criminal justice system and any discrimination and challenges he or she may have encountered in that role.
The Assignment (2–3 pages):
- Explain the role of the individual you selected in the criminal justice system.
- Explain various forms of discrimination and any challenges the individual encountered based on his or her race or ethnicity.
- Explain how the individual’s experience might be different if he or she were in the same role today. If the individual has broken a barrier recently, discuss how the experience might have been different in the past.
- Explain at least two challenges the individual might face in that role today.
