--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We need to change sentencing laws that…" description: "\"We need to change sentencing laws that disproportionately hurt people of color.\" — Ralph Northam" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/ralph-northam-6333_change_we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-d_1874792.jpg" --- # We need to change sentencing laws that disproportionately… ![“We need to change sentencing laws that disproportionately hurt people of color.” quote by Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/ralph-northam-6333_change_we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-d_1874792.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/ralph-northam-6333_change_we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-d_1874792.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/ralph-northam-6333_change_we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-d_1874792.jpg) > “We need to change sentencing laws that disproportionately hurt people of color.” [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sentencing reforms must address racial disparities in the justice system. **In simple terms:** Legal penalties affect minorities more. Key Takeaway Advocate for equitable laws. Themes justice racial equity policy reform criminal law Mood determined serious Type political activist When to use this quote - court sentencing - parole decisions - law‑making - community advocacy Key Concepts systemic bias restorative justice Questions to Reflect On - What data shows sentencing bias? - How can communities push reform? A Different Perspective Political resistance may stall change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/color/) [Hurt People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurt-people/) [Incarceration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incarceration/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Sentencing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentencing/) ## Related quotes > [I agree with President Obama and Attorney General Holder that we need to reform our criminal sentencing laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raul-labrador/i-agree-with-president-obama-and-attorney-general-holder-that-we-need/) [Raul Labrador](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raul-labrador/) > [Rent-control laws disproportionately benefit the non-poor because the elite pull strings, work the system and are better connected than the non-poor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-elder/rent-control-laws-disproportionately-benefit-the-non-poor-because-the/) [Larry Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-elder/) > [“Going into any prison is deeply confusing if you know anything about the racial demographics of America. The extreme overrepresentation of people of color,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-stevenson/going-into-any-prison-is-deeply-confusing-if-you-know-anything-about/) [Bryan Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-stevenson/) > [I believe indeterminate sentencing can be extremely useful, but I also believe that any such system should always take into consideration the special knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/i-believe-indeterminate-sentencing-can-be-extremely-useful-but-i-also/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [In response to the advocacy of groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, most states adopted tougher laws to punish drunk driving. Numerous states now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/in-response-to-the-advocacy-of-groups-like-mothers-against-drunk/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [Anyone who thinks it's smart to cut immigration is sentencing Australia to poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-turnbull/anyone-who-thinks-it-s-smart-to-cut-immigration-is-sentencing/) [Malcolm Turnbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-turnbull/) > [I'm intending to work on juvenile justice reform, sentencing reform, reentry, drug treatment, access to mental health care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/i-m-intending-to-work-on-juvenile-justice-reform-sentencing-reform/) [Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/) > [“Accelerated Rehabilitation had a scientific sound, as if Pierre would rehabilitate faster and faster in an elliptical path until evaporating in a blue flash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-drury/accelerated-rehabilitation-had-a-scientific-sound-as-if-pierre-would/) Tom Drury > [No funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-weller/no-funding-for-alternative-sentencing-instead-of-more-prisons/) [Jerry Weller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-weller/) > [Locking people up without reducing the risk of them committing new crimes against new victims the minute they get out does not make for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clarke/locking-people-up-without-reducing-the-risk-of-them-committing-new/) [Kenneth Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clarke/) > [Mandatory sentencing guidelines have become as complicated and detailed as the IRS code!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-h-greene/mandatory-sentencing-guidelines-have-become-as-complicated-and/) [Harold H. Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-h-greene/) > [It's kind of like sentencing. A lot of people say that we have a heavy sentence for this crime and a light sentence for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/it-s-kind-of-like-sentencing-a-lot-of-people-say-that-we-have-a-heavy/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [The thing that happens is that politicians run on tough-on-crime rhetoric. You appeal to the public and say, 'Let's put more money into taller…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-jarecki/the-thing-that-happens-is-that-politicians-run-on-tough-on-crime/) [Eugene Jarecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-jarecki/) > [“Sentencing enhancements won't get police to investigate crimes they don't take seriously to begin with. They won't stop police from harassing trans women on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-whitlock/sentencing-enhancements-won-t-get-police-to-investigate-crimes-they/) Kay Whitlock > [For far too long, victims' rights have been discussed only in the context of sentencing. Sentencing is very important, but the debate obscures something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/for-far-too-long-victims-rights-have-been-discussed-only-in-the/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) ## More by Ralph Northam > [I do feel very strongly about my values and principles, but at the end of day I'm open-minded and I enjoy listening to other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/i-do-feel-very-strongly-about-my-values-and-principles-but-at-the-end/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [The supply chain industry in our Commonwealth continues to gain momentum, in large part due to The Port of Virginia's unparalleled infrastructure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/the-supply-chain-industry-in-our-commonwealth-continues-to-gain/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Mandatory minimums are focused on punishment, not rehabilitation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/mandatory-minimums-are-focused-on-punishment-not-rehabilitation/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [The death penalty system is fundamentally flawed - it is inequitable, ineffective, and it has no place in this Commonwealth or this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/the-death-penalty-system-is-fundamentally-flawed-it-is-inequitable/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [As a small business owner myself, I understand what it is like to scale up a business in the early years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/as-a-small-business-owner-myself-i-understand-what-it-is-like-to/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [In order to attract and retain new businesses in rural and economically depressed regions of Virginia, we need to provide competitive incentives to entrepreneurs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/in-order-to-attract-and-retain-new-businesses-in-rural-and/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [I want to incentivize people to really have good health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/i-want-to-incentivize-people-to-really-have-good-health/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Virginians deserve civility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/virginians-deserve-civility/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [I grew up hunting and fishing, as did my family. But then I served in the military.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/i-grew-up-hunting-and-fishing-as-did-my-family-but-then-i-served-in/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [We've lost leaders from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, Jr. and countless others who have worked to bend the arc of the universe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/we-ve-lost-leaders-from-abraham-lincoln-to-martin-luther-king-jr-and/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [After high school, I attended the Virginia Military Institute and then Eastern Virginia Medical School - both great public schools that prepared me well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/after-high-school-i-attended-the-virginia-military-institute-and-then/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [We all have experiences that fundamentally shape who we are, that change the way we look at the world and what we work toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/we-all-have-experiences-that-fundamentally-shape-who-we-are-that/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Every year, I volunteer with Remote Area Medical mobile clinics to provide care to folks in rural Virginia. They do incredible work. But I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/every-year-i-volunteer-with-remote-area-medical-mobile-clinics-to/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Pregnancies spaced too closely together lead to increased rates of infant mortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/pregnancies-spaced-too-closely-together-lead-to-increased-rates-of/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [I've been a practicing physician for over 30 years. Every day, I get to wake up and do a job I love - it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/i-ve-been-a-practicing-physician-for-over-30-years-every-day-i-get-to/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) [Explore all 99 Ralph Northam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We need to change sentencing laws that disproportionately hurt people of color.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Northam" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-disproportionately-hurt-people/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-disproportionately-hurt-people/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/ralph-northam-6333_change_we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-d_1874792.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/ralph-northam-6333_change_we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-d_1874792.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/ralph-northam-6333_change_we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-d_1874792.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We need to change sentencing laws that disproportionately hurt people of color.” — Ralph Northam", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ralph Northam", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We need to change sentencing laws...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-disproportionately-hurt-people/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/we-need-to-change-sentencing-laws-that-disproportionately-hurt-people/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```