Racism in America: Ahmaud Arbery Deserves Justice

​By: Meghana Nakkanti
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​It is the year 2020, yet innocent people of color are still being shot. Unlike the stories we usually see, this time, an innocent black man was shot by people who weren’t police officers. Since 2012, the United States has seen hundreds of people shot. These people are hardly incriminated. Take the case of Amber Guyger, an off-duty police officer who shot unarmed Botham Jean in his own apartment. She ended up getting 10 years in prison, and eligible for parole in five years. Meanwhile, possessing 1-2 grams of certain drugs can get between 2-20 years in prison.

Ahmaud Arbery was a black man from Brunswick, Georgia, where he used to run everyday for years. He was a friendly man who waved to his neighbors as he ran. However, in February, a pick-up truck with 2 white men was parked along the side of the road. Both men in the truck were armed, and ended up fatally shooting Arbery.

This is a tale that we have seen time and time again. Living while black. Tamir Rice was killed at a playground in Ohio; Terence Crutcher was killed while being pulled over by police; and Walter Scott killed in Louisiana leaving a convenience store. This bigotry and hate needs to stop. A black man is more than 2.5 times more likely to be shot than a white man. This story of hate ended up in a life lost. However, Arbery and his family didn’t even get justice. The criminal justice system chose to not incriminate the two men responsible for his murder. America can do better. Black Americans are Americans too, and it’s time that their lives were valued. No one should have to fear for their lives because of the color of their skin, yet that is the world that we live in today.