ABSTRACT
This chapter examines major elements of disparities by race, ethnicity, and ancestry in the administration of justice for youth, families and communities of color. It reviews the historic treatment of youth of color in the United States (US) in the youth justice system because it is critical to an understanding of the root causes of the racial and ethnic disparities (RED). Traditionally, the discussion of over-representation of young people of color in the youth justice system has been mainly devoted to Black and White youth. The administration of justice for children in the US is mostly a mystery to those in the broader civil society. The imposition of gang "databases" which record and document physical characteristics of young people of color alleged to be in gangs all contribute to RED for Latino youth, families and communities. The structurally racist beliefs of the original settlers that Indigenous people were savages are primary causes of disparities in the youth court system.
