Kenosha verdict shows the value of Whiteness

Re: “Rittenhouse found not guilty” (Page A1, Nov. 20):

The American justice system has always upheld White supremacy and continues to do so. A prime example of this is the Kyle Rittenhouse case. Rittenhouse, an 18-year-old White male who killed two people last year at a peaceful protest, was recently acquitted on all charges. He was found not guilty by a jury of 11 White people and one Black person. Now if Rittenhouse were Black, he likely would have never made it inside the courtroom to stand trial.

The system is designed for people like Rittenhouse to walk free, while Black people are killed by cops for playing with a toy gun, for sleeping, for breathing, for being Black. Our criminal legal system was historically created to protect Whiteness and oppress Black individuals.

— Guadalupe Aldama

San Jose