Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, is a fictional show that is solely based on supporting and giving guidance to victims. The Special Victims Unit focuses on sex crimes, child abuse/negligence, domestic violence, homicide, and other violent crimes. They work closely with law enforcement and social agencies to help prosecute these crimes. During the series, there are many honorable moments said by the cast that is heartfelt. For example, in Season 5, Episode 24, it is said by Judge Walter Bradley that “…this trial exemplifies the very best aspects of our legal system, it has also highlighted its flaws. It is my sincere hope that in the future, those flaws can be corrected”.  

 

Criminal defense lawyer; Annalise Keating is played by Viola Davis, in the fictional show “How to Get Away with Murder”. The show constantly highlights how people of color have suffered from the oppression of this country. In one of her many infamous speeches she states “As an arbiter of the law, with whole knowledge of historical jurisprudence in this country, race must always be considered a variable…Racism is built into the DNA of America. And as long as we turn a blind eye to the pain of those suffering under its oppression, we will never escape those origins”. 

 

Watching these shows was never for pleasure or leisure, but it was an easy way to understand how the justice system works. I often found myself with a notepad writing down important information that these shows highlighted. Although these were fictional shows the majority of the information was based on true life events. The creators of the show made sure to use important terminology, definitions, and scenarios all related to the justice system. 

 

I realized that this was not just a show for me. I watch these shows through a psychological and sociological lens. I am a first-year student at SUNY-New Platz majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Sociology and Black Studies. In the future, I intend on becoming a criminal justice lawyer to help underrepresented minorities in this country such as myself. As I watch these shows, I envision myself as these lawyers and judges who are called to protect their cities. I want to become the voice for those who have been made victims to our unjust criminal system. Although in Black history we have made an exponential amount of progress it still hurts to know that many of my people are falsely accused of crimes that they did not commit. These convictions are solely based on discrimination, prejudice, and biased ulterior movies. I hope to be one of the many people who want to fix our broken system and end this constant cycle of abuse.

 

Realizing that the power of your words can have a tremendous impact on someone’s life is the very reason why it is crucial for me to understand the significance that literature will have on my Major. Not only is writing a form of expression within itself but it is a powerful tool that everyone should be exposed to.