I'm writing a book about how the American criminal justice system treats "privileged" murderers different from others. The murderers' privileges in my book (working title "Four Murders & a Funeral") start with being white males and in some cases end with being privileged in yet other ways.) Because of my book topic, people often ask me what I mean by "privilege." Well, here's a definition from a white male who's also gay, and you wouldn't be alone thinking 'maybe he's not privileged if … [Read more...]
Brock Turner, Oscar Pistorius: how white privilege works.
I sometimes examine white privilege in my crim justice writings, and I'm doing so in a memoir I'm currently working on. What's interesting about Brock Turner, Oscar Pistorius is that they may've been given light sentences because they were white and outstanding athletes. They are athletes in cultures (America and South Africa) where athleticism is prized. In such cultures super athletes, for sure, are treated leniently by their justice systems because of it. I've written about Pistorius … [Read more...]
Criminologist Yablonsky carried switchblade before seeing the light.
Lewis Yablonsky honored me by writing the forward to my first book as a criminologist, Dealing with Violence back in the '70s. We taught together and enjoyed one another's company. He died in 2014.As part of a series on great colleagues and teachers, I offer this obit of Yablonsky by William Yardley. Lewis Yablonsky, teaching at California State University, Northridge, in 1984. His books include “The Violent Gang.” CreditGary Friedman/Los Angeles TimesSociologist and criminolgist."Lewis … [Read more...]