White privilege statistics. I've been writing a memoir of late about how four murders seriously changed my career as a criminologist. So, how do white privilege statistics come into play? Well, among the many reasons the murders changed my worldview was the fact that the crim justice system treated the killers well. They were all white and given remarkably light sentences in comparison to black killers who committed similar crimes. This was back in the late 1960s and 1970s, … [Read more...]
Unneeded former Home Page as of 9-2018, used wrongly for my Blog tab till unsticky-ed it 1-11-19
After more than a year of planning and reconstruction by my webmaster, my site is better and more interesting (e.g., featuring topics like not-blind justice). Site has new, easier navigation. The site is faster and easier to navigate now. The latter means you can more easily find blogs, info, and resources (including new links, books, promotions, fun quizzes) that interest you. Just look for several pull-down choices under 9 new menu selections in red at the top of the site. And use , too, … [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...]
Today is World Book Day! Some advice.
Today is World Book Day. It's a global celebration of readers, authors, and books. It's an event recognized in over 100 countries around the globe. For school kids, it began this year on April 17 and lasted 5 days. World Book Day—Things to Do. Join me in reading a good book. In case you have nothing lying around to read, I've got an idea. Why not download the e-book version of. Former Secretary of State John Kerry calls it "A poignant, heartfelt tale. Learn more about … [Read more...]
Prison life is hard. Outside can be harder. CSP revisited.
Prison life gone bad? I've known, and been a victim of, someone who has reoffended (relapsed, recidivised. Recidivism refers to committing a crime after being "rehabilitated" in prison and released. When it comes to prison life, recidivism is a big "No No." It is to everyday taxpayers, to new and old victims, to ideologues supporting prison reform, and to criminologists like me who study this sort of thing. Recidivism is a sign of corrections failing to "correct," a sign that … [Read more...]
Thanks to fans of my book and blogs re cleft lip and palate.
I appreciate all of you who’ve followed my cleft lip and palate blogs over recent years. I'll continue to post info relevant to this most common of birth defects.I'm also grateful to those of you who've bought Cleft Heart: Chasing Normal about my experiences with my clefts regarding bullying, facial asymmetry, speech difficulties, etc.Since no good intentions or deeds ever go unpunished, I’m hoping you blog and book fans will consider giving copies of Cleft Heart to your doctor and dentist. Or … [Read more...]
International Authors’ Day———memoir writing.
Today's a special day! For that reason, I'm taking the opportunity to go "off topic" as candidates often do when campaigning and not focus on cleft lips, lookism, craniofacial issues, and the like. I'd like to share some thoughts about what I believe to be a most challenging genre for authors—the memoir. I'm indebeted to Debdatta, the book-loving blogger who set up this blog hop in honor of International Authors' Day. Please visit him and other bloggers involved at the sites noted … [Read more...]