By Ryan Flaco Rising, a PhD student at UC Irvine
My name is Ryan Flaco Rising, and I am empowered by the Racial Justice Act to stand up against the injustices of a racist system that has manipulated our judicial system to uphold white supremacy.
Being labeled as a documented gang member, I have experienced the harsh realities of incarceration and the inequities of the criminal justice system firsthand. Gang enhancements have often been applied in a racially biased manner, resulting in significantly longer sentences than those given to individuals from other racial backgrounds for similar crimes. The Department of Justice (DOJ) identifies individuals as gang members based on criteria like self-admission, hand signs, tattoos, association with friends or family, activities like gathering at parks, wearing certain colors or clothing, and even Facebook posts.
Black and Brown people face significant disparities due to the gang database in California, as they are disproportionately documented as gang members based on this broad and arbitrary criteria. This criteria leads community members to harsher sentencing, increased surveillance, and a greater likelihood of being targeted by gang injunctions and sentencing enhancements, severely disrupting their lives and communities. The exclusion of white gangs from the database further underscores its racial bias, perpetuating systemic inequities and long-term socio-economic impacts for Black and Brown communities.
The Racial Justice Act gives me hope in its ability to correct these injustices, signaling a shift towards a more equitable legal system. For formerly incarcerated individuals and those labeled as gang members, this act also represents progress towards addressing deep-seated racial biases. It’s more than just legislation; it’s a beacon of hope.
