Willie Horton Fact, Faith, and Commonsense Theory of Crime (From Criminology as Peacemaking, 1991, P 245-250, Harold E. Pepinsky, Richard Quinney, eds. -- See NCJ-138513)

• NCJ Number: 138520
• Author(s): J F Galliher
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Indiana University Press
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This discussion of the commonsense theory of crime, that is, cultural assumptions about crime and criminals, considers commonsense theories and crime causation, the theories of academic criminology, the hidden meanings of theory, and the policy implications of theory.

Abstract

There exists a widespread cultural, black-male-savage commonsense theory of crime, as reflected in a commercial recounting the kidnapping, torture, humiliation, and rape experienced at the hands of a black male named Willie Horton, which is a product of racism and also legitimates racism. Commonsense theories provide an environment for academic criminology. In turn, criminology gives back support for biological commonsense theories. In contrast to the claims of those who emphasize biological origins of behavior, empirical evidence fails to document a specific theoretical position. For the American Civil Liberties Union and other researchers, the arrest and imprisonment rates for black males provide evidence of racism. Both biological commonsense theories and biological criminological theories increase support for the death penalty as a form of "pest control" as rehabilitation is not feasible, and the commonsense black-male-savage commonsense theory increases demands by whites for retribution. The political record is recounted for those who question that the Willie Horton scenario reflects racism rather than a genuine concern for the victims of rape and other sexual assaults. 16 references