Racism in the Justice System

Joining the co-hosts for the tenth episode of THE Conversation are guest panelists Miranda Alves and Robert Cutts. Rev. Nell Fields, Brenda Nolan, and Robert Mascali also appear on the program. The discussion in this edition of THE Conversation focuses on the questions: “What are the root causes of racism in the justice system?” and “How do we eradicate racism in the justice system?”

Miranda Alves is a co-founder of Cape Cod Voices, a community organization created by women of color who have grown up on Cape Cod. Cape Cod Voices focuses on bringing black and brown voices into the center of the conversation on race, combating and educating about systemic and institutional racism issues on Cape Cod, and advocating for students of color in local schools. Miranda grew up in Bourne and currently lives in Falmouth. 

Robert Cutts was raised in Harwich by his grandmother and his aunt, Cape Cod civil rights activist  Eugenia Fortes. He is a 1977 graduate of Harwich High School. Robert spent six years in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany as an officer in the Military Police. In 1985, Robert began a 30-year career working for the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office in Fairfax, Virginia. In 2014, he retired and returned to Cape Cod, where he resides in Bourne. He is currently writing a book about his experiences entitled The Darkness Of Being Black In Law Enforcement. Robert is also a six-time world champion powerlifter. He enjoys working to educate youth and help them understand how members of law enforcement think.