Racism has been a widespread epidemic in our U.S. Criminal Justice system. It is evident that racism exists in the court systems and behind prison walls. However, in the Criminal Justice system, it is covered up by rules, regulations, and the law. The writings of James Baldwin’s “If Beale Street Could Talk”, (1974) exposes how the views of racist individuals can put another person in the custody of the court. Further, causing this person to be placed in the prison system as the outcome of racialism. Fonny, a black male, is falsely accused of committing a crime and he is at the mercy of the justice system. He is an example of how this racist cycle can have long- lasting effects on a human being. The struggles of a black man trying to deal with