There are a lot of problems out here to face right now, but one you don’t hear as much about involves our youth. Across the country, reports of disturbances at juvenile justice facilities are a cause for concern. Young people in need are facing something truly daunting.
Some states have done the right thing and released some people from prisons and jails to offset the risk of these facilities becoming incubators for the coronavirus (COVID-19). But the prospect is more bleak for young people.
And how this affects Black youth is especially harsh.
As of 2019, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, “While 14% of all youth under 18 in the U.S. are Black … 42% of boys and 35% of girls in juvenile facilities are Black.”
These young people cannot be thrown away or neglected. Their lives are at risk, and we need to do something important.
Take a stand on juvenile justice and commit yourself to showing care and concern for our Black youth. These young people need proper allies, because the punishment system we’re familiar with is not working!