Institutional Racism and Reform Failures: A Thematic Analysis of The Nickle Boys in Relation to U.S. Juvenile Justice Policies

Abstract

The thesis explores the fictional depiction of institutional racism alongside reform deficiencies in The Nickle Boys as portrayed in the U.S. juvenile justice system. The research uses Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Institutional Betrayal Theory (IBT) to analyze thematic elements of The Nickle Boys by Colson Whitehead, which were developed from Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys. The study demonstrates how, despite the Juvenile Delinquency Act and numerous policy reforms throughout decades, Black youth encounter higher detention rates and more severe treatment than their white juvenile counterparts in minority-based institutions. The author discovered major themes throughout Whitehead's novel that match with documented shortfalls in actual corrections systems for young offenders. This thesis shows through literary analysis that Whitehead's novel functions as a historical review and today's juvenile justice system conditions diagnostics. Meaningful changes to juvenile justice need to tackle racial discrimination that coexists deeply within both institutions and their policies. The study defines how literary representations present social justice matters effectively for urging institutional reforms.