Key Theorists - Ethnicity, Crime and Justice

Question 1

Key Theorist – Gilroy: Crime and Ethnicity

WHAT DOES THIS THEORIST ARGUE?

Answer 1

• That Black crime, particularly in the 1970s was a form of political resistance against a repressive, racist state (capitalist state).

Question 2

Key Theorist – Gilroy: Crime and Ethnicity

WHAT DOES THIS THEORIST DENY?

Answer 2

• That there was greater criminality amongst black people than white but the media created a folk-devil of black people which generated deviance amplification.

Question 3

HOW CAN GILROY’S THEORY BE EVALUATED?

GIVE AT LEAST ONE EXAMPLE.

Answer 3

• Ignores the fact that much black crime is committed against other black people (not just against the ‘white establishment’).
• Ignores that much crime is actually reported by the public, suggesting that it is not the police being racist.

Question 4

Key Theorist – Hall: Ethnicity, Crime and Deviance

WHAT DOES THIS THEORIST ARGUE?

Answer 4

• By creating a folk-devil and a moral panic (and convincing the public that the ‘Black Mugger’ is to blame for society’s problems), the police are justified in using more aggressive and oppressive tactics against the black community. This in turn creates resentment and hostility against the police which again in turn reinforces existing stereotypes and racism.
• During the 1970s Britain was facing a crisis of hegemony. There was high unemployment, civil unrest in relation to political issues and a high number of strikes. This had the potential to topple ruling-class power and as such the ruling-class needed a scapegoat – they did this by using the media to create the ‘Black Mugger’.

Question 5

Key Theorist - Reiner (2000): Ethnicity and Crime

WHAT DOES THIS THEORIST ARGUE?

Answer 5

• There exists a ‘canteen culture’ amongst the police: a macho, suspicious, racist and mistrusting culture against non-whites.

Question 6

Key Theorists – Sharp and Budd (2005): Minority Ethnic Groups and Crime

WHAT DID THESE THEORISTS FIND?

Answer 6

• Out of all ethnic groups, black people were more likely to have contact with the police, been to court and convicted. This is despite lower levels of offending than whites in general.
• Black and Asian offenders more likely to be charged than white offenders for similar offences.
• Black and Asian offenders more likely to be given custodial sentences rather than community punishments.
• Black and Asian offenders more likely to be given custodial sentences rather than community punishments.