crime and ethnicity Flashcards
what are three key statistics on ethnicity and crime?
4% population, 13% prison population black
black and Asians averaged extra 10 months prison compared to whites
black ppl serve highest percent of sentence compared to any other ethnic group
why is ethnic minority crime considered a political act?
black people commit crimes as a result of persecution endured during years of colonisation and exclusion from political structures like trade unions
recent examples of ethnic minority crime considered political act?
BLM protests
explain the criticisms of the approach of ethnic minority crime as a political act?
until recently, particularly low rates crime from west Indian origin. If colonial struggles leads to crime, why are 1st gen immigrants so complicit?
Describe who Bourgois studied and how?- formation of subcultures
7 years studying deprived area, economy, street life. Puerto Ricans, African Americans
economic exclusion these minority groups combined w negative social attitudes towards them forced them to develop “Alternative economy”
What is the alternative economy?
involved minor and major crimes from kerb side car repair to crack cocaine dealing
What did the “alternative economy” develop amongst the ethnic minorities?
developed subculture which Bourgois called “inner city street culture”
caused damage because illegal drug trade involves people in lifestyles of violence and substance abuse
what were the consequences of the deviant behaviour caused by the subculture formed by Bourgois study?
behaviour destroys families and community
lead to developing culture that helps resolve issues of lack of dignity in racist society.
what do left realists believe?
the crimogenic triangle
What do Lea and Young say as left realists?
suggests there are three elements to an understanding of crime and ethnic minorities
What are the three elements to an understanding of crime and ethnic minorities?
marginality
relative deprivation
subculture
explain Lea and Young’s marginalization?
black youths- more likely to have less successful education, more unemployment and lower paid jobs, they occupy the “edge” of society
explains Lea and Young’s relative deprivation?
black youth- have high aspirations but cannot achieve legally due to marginalization
explain Lea and Young’s subculture?
Black youth- respond differently due to mismatch in aspirations between aspirations and constraints of reality, as a result, Black youth drift towards petty crime
