Images of Color, Images of Crime: Readings, Second Edition

• NCJ Number: 214372
• Author(s): Coramae Richey Mann; Marjorie S. Zatz
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 253 pages
• Sale Source: Roxbury Publishing Co.
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This book presents a selection of essays that attempt to offer students a better understanding of the relationship between stereotypical images of colors or race and the images and realities of crime and punishment.

Abstract

There have been many injustices faced by people of color throughout history in the United States. The media has played a role in exaggerating or distorting racial characteristics and actions, especially criminal acts, which ensures harm to people of color. In addition, politicians have fostered racial stereotypes which are more treacherous than those of the media because they are almost totally selfish, seeking to enhance their careers. Changing attitudes toward images of people of color requires both short-term and long-term solutions within both juvenile justice and criminal justice. Multicultural programs and studies need to be incorporated in both State and privately funded educational institutions to reduce the negative images of red, black, brown, and yellow. Comprehensive, major educational reforms must begin immediately on a national scale. If not, another generation of youths of color will be lost, possibly to crime, drugs, prison or even the morgue. In this second edition, contributors of essays take the reader on a journey to numerous places and into others’ lives and experiences in an attempt to open their eyes to the many injustices faced by people of color throughout time. These are places of poverty and despair, lives of hopelessness, and experiences of discrimination and racism. The intent of this book is to provide a better understanding of the relationship between stereotypical images of color and the images and realities of crime. The book is divided into four parts: images of color, stereotyping by the media, stereotyping by politicians, and images of crime and punishment. History has shown that society finds the conduct of crime threatening and when that conduct is that of persons of color, it is particularly threatening. References