THURGOOD MARSHALL
& ANDREA JAMES
The Legacy of Criminal Justice Reform
When Robert F. Kennedy voiced his approval for The Criminal Justice Act of 1964, he was taking a stand “to make our ideal of ‘equal justice under law’ a reality” for impoverished people throughout the country. By supporting the right to counsel for all, regardless of income, Kennedy held the US criminal justice system to a higher standard of fairness. During his campaign, he would extend his criticisms to the death penalty, calling for an end to the widely-accepted practice.
This lesson plan explores Robert F. Kennedy’s legacy of criminal justice reform in a time defined by the rise of the New Jim Crow, a term coined by Michelle Alexander in reference to the racial inequalities present in the criminal justice system today. As we build a bridge between the past and the present and reflect on the work of the advocates of then and now, we should keep one question in mind: what do we do next?
GETTING FROM THEN TO NOW:
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
BECOME A DEFENDER
The activities listed below are suggestions for how students can join the coalition of human rights Defenders pushing for criminal justice reform.
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Organize a fundraiser to donate to Andrea’s organization or another organization that focuses on criminal justice reform
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Research statistics associated with mass incarceration in the US and create a pamphlet to share
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Write to your state representatives urging them to pass legislation that will reduce the incarcerated population, and result in a fairer, more effective criminal justice system
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If your state has laws in place, send a thank you note to your government officials and ask how the law is being implemented
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Research local organizations within your community that serve the families of the incarcerated, and find ways for you and your classmates to further help