Ethnicity and crime Flashcards
Ethnicity and criminalisation:
How do statistics show the overrepresentation of ethnic minorities in the criminal justice system? e.g. Arrests
Ethnic minorities, particularly Black individuals, are more likely to be stopped and searched by the police. For example, in the UK, Black people are stopped and searched at a much higher rate than White people, even though they don’t commit more crimes overall. According to the UK’s Home Office data, Black people are more than four times more likely to be stopped and searched compared to White people.
Ethnicity and criminalisation:
How do statistics show the overrepresentation of ethnic minorities in the criminal justice system? e.g. sentencing
Ethnic minorities are also overrepresented in prison populations. In the UK, Black people make up around 3% of the general population, but account for 12% of the prison population. This shows that ethnic minorities are more likely to be incarcerated, even though they don’t commit more serious crimes than White people.
Ethnicity and criminalisation:
How does policing help to show racism within policing? (use statistics)
Arrests: Black people in the UK are more likely to be arrested than White people. According to the UK Ministry of Justice, in 2018/2019, Black people were 3.5 times more likely to be arrested than White people. This reflects the over-policing of certain ethnic groups, suggesting a pattern of racial inequality within the criminal justice system.
Use of Force: Studies show that ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by the use of force by police officers. According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Black people are more likely to be subjected to the use of force compared to White people. The data shows that Black people are 2.5 times more likely to be involved in incidents where force is used than their White counterparts.
Ethnicity and criminalisation:
How does stop and searches help to show racism within policing? (use statistics)
Stop and Search Statistics: According to the UK Home Office (2019/2020), Black people are four times more likely to be stopped and searched than White people. The data shows that Black people were stopped and searched at a rate of 37 per 1,000 population, compared to 9 per 1,000 for White people. Despite these higher rates of stop and search, studies suggest that Black people are no more likely to carry drugs or weapons than White people, suggesting that racial profiling may play a role.
Reason for Stops: A large proportion of stop-and-search incidents involve drug-related searches. However, research by the Home Office has shown that White people are just as likely to use or possess illegal drugs as Black people, yet Black individuals are more likely to be stopped and searched on suspicion of carrying drugs. This raises concerns about racial bias in the decision-making of police officers conducting stop and search operations.
Explaining the differences in offending:
How does relative deprivation explain why ethnic minorities are more likely to commit crime? (use sociologists)
o Lea and Young argue that ethnic minorities, particularly Black and Asian communities, are more likely to experience relative deprivation. This occurs when individuals or groups feel deprived in comparison to others in society, which can lead to feelings of frustration and alienation. The lack of resources and opportunities increases the likelihood of crime, as individuals turn to illegal means to achieve societal goals. The increased visibility of poverty and deprivation in ethnic minority communities may also lead to higher crime rates as they seek to attain the same standards of living as more affluent groups.
Criticism:
What is a criticism that ethnic minorities are more likely to commit crime due to relative deprivation? (use sociologist)
Right realist Clarke would criticize the view that ethnic minorities commit more crime due to relative deprivation, arguing that this perspective overemphasizes structural factors and neglects the role of individual choice and rational decision-making.
Clarke suggests that people weigh the costs and benefits of committing a crime, and if they believe the rewards outweigh the risks, they are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour.
Explaining the differences in offending:
How does the myth of black criminality explain why ethnic minorities commit crime? (use sociologist)
Gilroy argues that the idea of Black people being more criminal is a false stereotype created by the media and the government. He believes this stereotype comes from the history of colonialism and racism, which still affects Black communities today.
According to Gilroy, when Black people commit crimes, it’s often a way of fighting back against the unfair treatment they face in society. The portrayal of Black people as criminals helps those in power to justify controlling and watching these communities more closely.
Criticism:
What is a criticism that the myth of black criminality explains why ethnic minorities commit crime? (use sociologist)
Lea and Young argue that Gilroy’s theory overly romanticizes ethnic minority crime as a form of political resistance. They claim that it neglects the reality of the social issues that lead to crime, such as poverty, unemployment, and relative deprivation, and that it downplays the role of individual choices and behaviours in crime.
Explaining the differences in offending:
How does policing in crisis explain why ethnic minorities commit crimes? (use sociologist)
Hall et al in Policing the Crisis explore the role of moral panics in the construction of ethnic minority criminality. They argue that the media, police, and politicians have historically amplified the threat posed by ethnic minorities (particularly Black youth) through moral panics, especially around issues like street crime and ‘mugging’.
This process of labelling created a sense of fear and racial tension, leading to increased policing and surveillance of these communities. The media portrayal of Black youth as criminals contributed to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where minority groups were over-policed, thus leading to higher rates of arrests and convictions.
Criticism:
What is a criticism that policing in crisis explains why ethnic minorities commit crimes? (use sociologist)
Critics like Bowling and Phillips argue that Hall et al. overemphasize the role of moral panics in explaining crime. While moral panics may contribute to the criminalization of certain ethnic groups, they do not account for actual inequalities and social conditions that drive crime, such as systemic discrimination and lack of opportunities in ethnic minority communities.
Ethnicity and victimisation:
How can Black communities be seen as victims of crime? (use stats)
Victimization Rates: Black people are more likely to be victims of violent crime than White people. According to the 2018/2019 Crime Survey for England and Wales, Black people were more likely to experience violence, with around 6.5% of Black people reporting being a victim of violent crime, compared to 3.3% of White people.
Hate Crimes: Black people are also disproportionately affected by racially motivated hate crimes. The UK Home Office 2020/2021 report showed that 40% of all racially aggravated offenses targeted Black people, despite them making up a smaller portion of the UK population.
Responding to victimisation:
How do Black communities challenge victimisation?
Distrust of Police: Black Britons have historically faced higher rates of police stops, searches, and arrests. For example, in 2018, Black people were nine times more likely to be stopped and searched than White people (Home Office, 2019). This has led to a significant mistrust of the police. In response, many in the Black community participate in movements like Black Lives Matter UK to protest police violence and systemic racism. They argue that Black individuals are disproportionately targeted, and they call for accountability in policing.
Activism and Advocacy: Black communities are also proactive in forming support networks. For instance, organizations like the Black Youth Project aim to provide a platform for young Black people, offering support and legal resources to challenge police treatment and promote racial justice.
Ethnicity and victimisation:
How can Asian communities be seen as victims of crime? (use stats)
Victimization Rates: Asian communities also experience high levels of victimization, especially related to racist hate crimes. In 2020, the UK Home Office reported that 18% of all racially aggravated offenses were targeted at Asian individuals.
Underreporting: Studies also show that Asian victims of crime are less likely to report offenses to the police, due to cultural factors and mistrust in the police system. As a result, crime rates in these communities may be underreported.
Responding to victimisation:
How do Asian communities challenge victimisation?
Reluctance to Report Crime: Many Asian communities, especially those with strong cultural traditions like South Asian and Chinese communities, may feel uncomfortable involving the police due to cultural values emphasizing family privacy and honor. For example, cases of domestic violence within South Asian families are often underreported due to fear of shame or stigma. According to a 2016 Home Office study, South Asian women were less likely to report domestic violence incidents compared to White women, often due to cultural pressures.
Community Support: In response to victimization, Asian communities tend to rely heavily on family and community networks for support. However, organizations like the National Asian Women’s Association (NAWA) provide essential support for victims of domestic violence and hate crimes. NAWA offers resources, advocacy, and a safe space for those from ethnic minority backgrounds to seek help and challenge social norms that discourage police involvement.
Ethnicity and victimisation:
How can White communities be seen as victims of crime? (use stats)
Victimization Rates: White people make up the majority of crime victims in the UK due to their larger population size. According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, 3.3% of White individuals report being victims of violent crime, similar to the national average.
Property Crimes: White communities are more likely to be victims of property crimes like burglary and car theft, especially in suburban areas. The 2019 UK Crime Survey highlighted that burglary rates tend to be higher in predominantly White neighborhoods.
Responding to victimisation:
How do White communities challenge victimisation?
Tendency to Report Crime: White Britons, particularly in suburban or rural areas, are more likely to report crime to the police. This is largely because they typically feel less targeted by the police. According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, White people are the group most likely to report crimes like burglary or theft compared to ethnic minorities.
Support for Law and Order Policies: White communities may be more likely to support tougher policing policies. For instance, surveys show that a significant portion of the White population supports policies like stop-and-search as a way to reduce crime. However, some White communities are also affected by rising hate crimes against minority groups and have responded through organizations like Show Racism the Red Card to promote equality and challenge discriminatory practices.
