CNN iReport

Regarding the following observation of which I write, I have been trained by one of the best companies in the world in how to assess such situations. My company is recognized in leading business magazines on matters of diversity and is recognized around the world in many countries as top employer. They have trained me well, and I have aided in instituting programs internally with regards to these matters.

Diversity programs are based upon the premise that all men are created equal. Therefore, if one enters any environment, one may assess that environment by assessing the distribution of races and genders representative of the general population and expect to see a regular distribution across positions unless there is a problem preventing the even distribution. It is of particular interest to note positions of power and who holds them. Assessment is made from the bottom to the top of the organization and at all levels in between.

For the record, I am a white female, age 46, raised in the South and considered conservative until recently when I began sharing what I have observed.

On a particular morning earlier this year, I had the opportunity to sit in felony circuit court in Boone County, Kentucky observing proceedings. The courtroom was filling with people: the attorneys, police, and others smiling and greeting each other in the front area.

To my right sat 2 rows of prisoners, looking tired, dejected, and sitting in silence. As I watched them, I wondered for what crimes these prisoners came to be sitting there. I took note of race and gender of the prisoners, and after that I counted and noted race and gender of those in the power positions of the courtroom. My observation is as follows:

2 rows of prisoners.

Back row:

Young light skinned black man maybe 20, elderly dark skinned black man maybe 60's or 70's -- he looked hopefully toward the door every time it opened obviously waiting for someone to appear and looking quite defeated -- I wanted to hug him because he did look so hopeless, young light skinned black man holding his head in his hands again appearing to be about 20, a good looking Mexican man estimate in late 20's who had a proud and undefeated appearance and was looking around the courtroom, and a young Native American man on the end.

Front row: All white women.

I counted those milling around in the front of the courtroom having various jobs determining the fate of the prisoners. Defense table -white men except one white woman. Prosecutors table: all white men. Judge: white man. Policemen and Bailiff: all white men. Court clerk: White female. There were a total of 18 white men and 2 white women determining the fate of the minority men and the women.

I saw 2 cases that morning for those out on bond, one a white woman and one a white man. The woman was accused of theft and had been in trouble before. She was using a walker and her attorney said she had been diagnosed with Lupas. She was led away to jail crying sentenced to a year in jail. The young man's charge I did not hear because I was engrossed in watching the prisoners. I caught only the end as he grabbed his jacket on the way out and heard the judge say to his departing back, "Stay out of trouble."

The photo of that courtroom would have made an excellent story without words. I unfortunately have no photo and cell phones are confiscated if used in the courtroom. The rows of silent minorities and women, and the smiling and conversing white men preparing to negotiate their fate did make a stark and ugly statement to me that day. My training screams that there is something terribly, dreadfully wrong. Something that impacts people and families in the worst possible way. Not just a promotion that one is denied for lack of diversity, but one's very life and liberty.

For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary, from heaven did the Lord behold the earth. To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are appointed to death.

Thus is the color of justice in a small courtroom in Kentucky on that particular morning.