NCJ Number
16852
Journal
ISSUES IN CRIMINOLOGY Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (FALL 1974) Pages: 69-87
Date Published
1974
Length
19 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE CORE BELIEFS OR ATTITUDES OF YOUNG BLACK MALES WHICH MAY SERVE TO EXPLAIN OR JUSTIFY NONCOMPLIANCE TO THE LAWS POPULARLY HELD BY WHITE MIDDLE-CLASS AMERICA.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN A NATURAL SETTING OVER A FIFTEEN-MONTH PERIOD. THE METHOD WAS PRIMARILY PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY BLACK MALES, FROM 18 TO 30 YEARS OF AGE WERE INTERVIEWED. AN ATTEMPT WAS ALSO MADE TO CONTACT PERSONS WHO REASONABLY APPROXIMATED THE CLASS LIKE VARIATIONS AMONG BLACKS. SUBJECTS WERE ASKED TO IDENTIFY ANY FACTORS WHICH THEY BELIEVED WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE HIGHER CRIMINAL LAW VIOLATION RATES AMONG BLACKS. THE FACTORS MOST OFTEN MENTIONED INCLUDED THE INCOMPATABILITY OF BLACK-WHITE INTERESTS, THE UNEQUAL ACCESS TO INSTITUTIONAL PARTICIPATION BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES, THE INJUSTICE OF UNEQUAL ACCESS TO INSTITUTIONAL PARTICIPATION, AND THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY OF UNJUST TREATMENT. ALSO MENTIONED WERE THE INITIAL INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE OF BLACKS, THE LACK OF RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES FOR BLACKS UNDER THE LAW, AND THE STATEMENT THAT BLACK PEOPLE ARE A CONQUERED PEOPLE. SEVERAL CONDITIONS WHICH MAY AFFECT THE EMERGENCE OF CRIMINALITY AMONG BLACKS WERE INDICATED. THESE CONDITIONS ARE THE AWARENESS OF GRIEVANCES CONCERNING UNJUST CONDITIONS LEADING TO LOWER RESPECT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AMONG BLACKS, THE AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE OF ILLEGAL METHODS AS ADEQUATE SOLUTIONS TO THESE GRIEVANCES, AND THE WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AS A SOLUTION TO GRIEVANCES RESULTING FROM FEELINGS OF INJUSTICE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)