Often when we think of racism and its consequences, we think of the personal prejudice some hold toward those of a different skin color. There’s the discreet — the suspicious sideways glance, the fearful flinching. Then there’s the loud outright bigotry from the political fringe.
We like to think these racist views are held by a minority, are something we’ve largely left long in the past. In some ways, this is true. Racism is not something that is nearly as socially acceptable as it once was.
Even still, deeply entrenched inequities to this day exist between white and Black Chattanoogans. Though it does contribute and serve as justification, personal prejudice is not what drives this; it is racism embedded in our institutions that ensures Black residents are treated as second-class citizens.
One example is Hamilton County’s jury selection process, one that not only produces disproportionately white juries, but one which multiple local attorneys have argued violates both the Tennessee and United States constitutions.
As reported by the Chattanooga Times Free Press last week, questions have been raised, for at least the third time in recent years, over how the county chooses a jury of a defendant’s peers for a trial.