The marginalization of people of color refers to the act of putting minority groups in powerless or unimportant positions within a society. The media, court system (criminal justice), and educational system have all contributed to this phenomenon. The media portrays people of color as criminals, violent, and uncaring, leading to public support for punitive measures. The criminal justice system targets African Americans, punishing them more harshly than whites for the same crimes. The educational system also discriminates against students of color, giving preference to white students and providing unequal access to resources.