I very much appreciate stories of prosecutors who are able to see the humanity of those on the other side of the cases they charge. However, I have to flag that referring to those people as “offenders” essentializes and dehumanizes them. This piece by the Marshall Project on the importance of language is essential reading for all who write or speak about the criminal justice system: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2021/04/12/the-language-project
I very much appreciate stories of prosecutors who are able to see the humanity of those on the other side of the cases they charge. However, I have to flag that referring to those people as “offenders” essentializes and dehumanizes them. This piece by the Marshall Project on the importance of language is essential reading for all who write or speak about the criminal justice system: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2021/04/12/the-language-project
Great point Liz!