The Color of Crime
Encyclopedia
The Color of Crime: Racial Hoaxes, White Fear, Black Protectionism, Police Harassment and Other Macroaggressions is a 1998 book by American academic Katheryn Russell-Brown (Katheryn K. Russell at the time of the book's publication), published by New York University Press (NYUP), with a second edition in 2008. The book discusses the topic of race and crime in the United States
, particularly in the context of black–white relations.
It looks at the stereotypes of black men as criminals (what she refers to as the "criminalblackman" myth); whether black people commit a disproportionate amount of crime
; how the criminal stereotypes have enabled the use of "racial hoax
es"; whether black people are discriminated against in society, in law enforcement, and in the justice system; white supremacism
and white racism; how black people protect their own; and the idea of "macroagression" where a whole society is involved in persecuting a group. The book has been widely cited since its publication.
The book popularised the term "racial hoax
", which Russell-Brown defines as occurring when someone fabricates a crime
and blames it on another person because of their race or when an actual crime has been committed and the perpetrator falsely blames someone because of their race. It gives the cases of Susan Smith
, Jesse Anderson
, and Charles Stuart
as examples of racial hoaxes. She proposes six principles to achieve fairness in the criminal justice system:
states that Russell-Brown makes an "indispensable, intelligent, and practical contribution" to the issues of race and crime. Erica Chito Childs in Fade to Black and White: Interracial Images in Popular Culture (2009) writes that the book provides an excellent analysis of the media reaction in the O. J. Simpson
murder case
.
However, Russell-Brown, who is African-American, and the book have been criticised for being biased. Some have said that the book downplays the level of black crime and that it over-attributes black crime to a discriminatory justice system. Nicolas Stix of the American Daily website calls the book a piece of propaganda.
Race and crime in the United States
The relationship between race and crime in the United States has been a topic of public controversy and scholarly debate for more than a century...
, particularly in the context of black–white relations.
It looks at the stereotypes of black men as criminals (what she refers to as the "criminalblackman" myth); whether black people commit a disproportionate amount of crime
Crime in the United States
Crime statistics for the United States are published annually by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the Uniform Crime Reports which represents crimes reported to the police...
; how the criminal stereotypes have enabled the use of "racial hoax
Racial hoax
A racial hoax is a hoax that occurs "when someone fabricates a crime and blames it on another person because of [their] race or when an actual crime has been committed and the perpetrator falsely blames someone because of [their] race"...
es"; whether black people are discriminated against in society, in law enforcement, and in the justice system; white supremacism
White supremacy
White supremacy is the belief, and promotion of the belief, that white people are superior to people of other racial backgrounds. The term is sometimes used specifically to describe a political ideology that advocates the social and political dominance by whites.White supremacy, as with racial...
and white racism; how black people protect their own; and the idea of "macroagression" where a whole society is involved in persecuting a group. The book has been widely cited since its publication.
Sypnosis
The Color of Crime provides an overview of race, crime, and law, beginning with a discussion of slavery. Russell-Brown writes that crime and young black men have become synonymous in the American mind, giving rise to the "criminalblackman" stereotype.The book popularised the term "racial hoax
Racial hoax
A racial hoax is a hoax that occurs "when someone fabricates a crime and blames it on another person because of [their] race or when an actual crime has been committed and the perpetrator falsely blames someone because of [their] race"...
", which Russell-Brown defines as occurring when someone fabricates a crime
Frameup
A frame-up or setup is an American term referring to the act of framing someone, that is, providing false evidence or false testimony in order to falsely prove someone guilty of a crime....
and blames it on another person because of their race or when an actual crime has been committed and the perpetrator falsely blames someone because of their race. It gives the cases of Susan Smith
Susan Smith
Susan Leigh Vaughan Smith is an American woman sentenced to life in prison for murdering her children. Born in Union, South Carolina, and a former student of the University of South Carolina Union, she was convicted on July 22, 1995 of murdering her two sons, 3-year-old Michael Daniel Smith, born...
, Jesse Anderson
Jesse Anderson
Jesse Michael Anderson was an American criminal who was murdered in prison, along with infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, by fellow inmate Christopher Scarver.-Early life:...
, and Charles Stuart
Charles Stuart (murderer)
Charles "Chuck" Stuart was a man from Reading, Massachusetts who murdered his pregnant wife and inflamed racial tensions in the Boston area by concocting a fictitious African-American assailant.-Murders:...
as examples of racial hoaxes. She proposes six principles to achieve fairness in the criminal justice system:
- Criminal penalties apply to everyone, regardless of the race of the offender.
- Criminal penalties apply to everyone, regardless of the race of the victim.
- The race of the offender is not relevant in determining whether his actions constitute a crime. The offender's actions would have been considered criminal, even if he were another race.
- The race of the victim is not relevant in determining whether the offender's action constitutes a crime.
- The offender's racial pedigree (e.g., "degree of Blackness") is not used to determine punishment.
- There are checks and balances that mitigate against racial bias within the legal system.
Reception
The Color of Crime has been widely cited since its publication and has been described as a pivotal book. NYUP states the book was "heralded as a path-breaking book". An edition of the American Journal of SociologyAmerican Journal of Sociology
The American Journal of Sociology was established in 1895 by Albion Small and is the oldest academic journal of sociology in the United States. The journal is attached to the University of Chicago's sociology department and it is published bimonthly by The University of Chicago Press. Its...
states that Russell-Brown makes an "indispensable, intelligent, and practical contribution" to the issues of race and crime. Erica Chito Childs in Fade to Black and White: Interracial Images in Popular Culture (2009) writes that the book provides an excellent analysis of the media reaction in the O. J. Simpson
O. J. Simpson
Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson , nicknamed "The Juice", is a retired American collegiate and professional football player, football broadcaster, and actor...
murder case
O. J. Simpson murder case
The O. J. Simpson murder case was a criminal trial held in Los Angeles County, California Superior Court from January 29 to October 3, 1995. Former American football star and actor O. J...
.
However, Russell-Brown, who is African-American, and the book have been criticised for being biased. Some have said that the book downplays the level of black crime and that it over-attributes black crime to a discriminatory justice system. Nicolas Stix of the American Daily website calls the book a piece of propaganda.
Sources
- Russell-Brown, Katheryn (1998). The Color of Crime: Racial Hoaxes, White Fear, Black Protectionism, Police Harassment and Other Macroaggressions. New York University Press. ISBN 0814774717