* Racism and prejudice: Many white people in the United States held racist beliefs about black people, believing them to be inferior and deserving of punishment. This racism was reflected in the laws and practices of the criminal justice system, which discriminated against black people at every stage, from arrest to sentencing.
* Economic inequality: Black people were often poor and lacked access to quality education, housing, and healthcare. This made them more likely to be involved in crime and more vulnerable to arrest and conviction.
* Political disenfranchisement: Black people were often denied the right to vote and hold office, which meant they had little power to influence the laws and policies that affected their lives. This made it difficult for them to challenge the discrimination they faced in the criminal justice system.
As a result of these factors, black people were more likely to be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to prison than white people for the same crimes. They also served longer sentences and were more likely to be subjected to violence and abuse in prison.
The United States has made some progress in addressing these injustices, but there is still a long way to go. Black people continue to be overrepresented in the criminal justice system, and they continue to face discrimination in many areas of life.