The Disproportionate Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in ...

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…I think that there .may be different needs, so to say, but I don’t think
that requires any higher degree of attention. . . The tool needs to be a little
bit different. I don’t know what programs would be best. I think there’s
probably, without a doubt, would be pretty beneficial if there were
programs set up for Hispanic kids in general. A lot of behaviors and things
that might be exhibited in Mexico or other countries.. .programs could
help kids understand the U.S. culture, the white culture, the other culture. I
think that’s where you get a lot of clash. I’ve run into a couple of
confrontational situations with a mother who says that we need to be more
culturally aware of the Hispanic, Mexican, Indian, or Black kids. I
commonly respond to that ‘so you want me to treat them differently.’ I
generally get a silent response to that...
Q. So if I understand what you ‘re saying, a program for Hispanic kids
might help them to understand and conform to our culture
A. Yes, or otherwise I think we need to consult our legislature and have
them change the standards by which our laws are written, that ‘hey, we
better come up with a code for the Hispanic people and one for the black
people’ because the code doesn’t say black or white or anything else.
Q. What do you think are the needs of African American kids that aren’t
being met by the current juvenile justice system
A. The needs of the black population is probably so much different than
the Asians or the Hispanics because of the culture. You’ve got fifth
generation black families here. Boat people and others coming into the
country don’t even speak our language. So I think the problem is different.
Q. Is the reason black kids are in trouble more because they have needs
that are not being responded to
A. I think there are needs that probably are not being responded to, but a
lot of those needs are based in the economic setting and the educational
setting.
Q. So you think the economic structure, lack of opportunity, is a cause of
delinquency
A. I don’t want to play toward society not giving them, black or any other
population, opportunity. I think America being the land of opportunity. . .
Do you go out and get the