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Mediocre_Audience_61 t1_ja0scon wrote

Reply to comment by addctd2badideas in Opinion | Is D.C. juvenile justice a revolving door? We need to know. by Maxcactus

"Somehow a systemic and racial justice issue". That you think it's not speaks volumes. Children can face consequences but still go back to environments that are lead-contaminated, filled with pests, no access to after-school programming, adequate nutrition, or even the special education services kids may desperately need (a rampant problem in DC). We can amp up the consequences but until social safety nets are strengthened, especially for underserved communities, repeat offenses will continue to be a predictable outcome.

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addctd2badideas t1_ja0zv62 wrote

Slavery and systemic racism will always be this country's cardinal sin.

But for a city that has a near-Black-majority with most public officials being such as well, I'm going to go on a limb that it's not the sole, nor even primary driving force of this issue. Furthermore, the people who would love to be able to enjoy their day, walk outside and not get carjacked while trying to support their families are also Black. I'm sure they'd appreciate some safety and security too (while still having strong feelings about the Police as they should).

However I do agree that we need to both strengthen those social safety nets and police,/prosecute better (without violating civil rights) at the same time.

There's got to be a middle ground here because both extreme sides are untenable.

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