MUST WATCH THE FILM AMERICAN SON ON NETFLIX TO COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT!!!!!! USE INFORMATION FROM THE DOCUMENT TO HELP ARTICULATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF RACE, CRIME, AND THE LAW. BE SURE TO CITE THE INFO

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Race and Crime.

Q1. Briefly summarize the video or book (this section should be approx. 350-500 words) in detail. There must be a clear sense that you actually watched this video or book!

The book mainly addresses the historical evolution of issues concerning criminal offenses, such as illegal immigration, prejudice, and implicit bias, among others, in connection to racism or ethnicity, since its establishment to the present-day age. Matters regarding race mirrors the population’s self-realization by individuals in accordance to the nationality race which one is more closely identifiable. Although the concept of racism is believed to have kicked off at around 5,000 years ago in India, it is Johann Friedrich Blumenbach (1782-1840) that evolved the very first categorization of humans into the race, wherein his 1975 task, 'On the Natural Variety of Mankind,’ that he grouped humans into five groups, that is, Ethiopian classified as African or Negroid, Mongolian as Asian, American as Native American, Malaysian as Pacific Islander, and Caucasian as Whites. European scholars, who had been categorized as whites then went ahead to establish the notion that there was the existence of biological differences between human beings, where they labeled Europeans as the superior category over the rest (Gabbidon et al., p.8). The human population appears to be agreeing on the origin of racism, where they base it on the migration that occurred out of Africa.

The introduction of whiteness can be said to have pioneered the evolution of racism, which appeared to be endorsing the belief under all perspectives. Long after the first grouping of human beings into racism, the past generations, and present-day generation as well as cultivated the vice, thereby, allowing it to develop roots in our societies. It has since, contributed to one of the major intense divides ever realized between humans of different races. The race question was not familiar with the Native Americans until the late 1660s when color was considered as the determinant during the establishment of the slave trade (Gabbidon et al., p.127). It was after the European immigrants began to move to America in search of greener pastures, where they were scorned by the Native Americans. In the beginning, the Europeans harassed the Natives, but the situation overturned, as Germans and Italians began to be subjected to harsh treatment and violence. However, after some time, these two groups, that is Native Americans and Europeans were allowed to fully mingle and engage with one another, as they were considered to have fully ‘become white’ over time. It is because the stereotypes or prejudiced decisions they created to distinguish human races had been abandoned.

The engagement and interaction of the Native Americans, Africans, Latinos, and Asians became more complex due to the existence of physical attributes, which fully restricted their interaction and assimilation. In the recent past, the case of racism can be identified in several occurring s such as 9/11, where the Arabs and Americans appear to not keep up with each other, blaming one another of terrorism (Gabbidon et al., p.286). Therefore, regardless of the level at which every group’s criminal acts have reached, all groups have caused similar kinds of issues and offenses, which led to other groups reacting against the dominating culture.

Q2. What was your initial reaction after watching this video or reading the book?

Regardless of the persistence of issues concerning racism, the effect of the racial prejudice of social practices appears to be significantly under-researched. In as much as the study has shown interest in distinguishing between racial differences referencing international criminal activities such as 9/11. The theory regarding racism implies that one is offensive, for instance, the categorization of African originating humans as Negros led to ridicule and oppression, and closure of life advancement paths as well, while the opportunities remained open to many other races.

Q3. What do you think motivated the author(s) to write this book or the playwright to produce this video?

The major reason that propelled the author, Gabbidon, into writing the book is that he was black, as his family had originated from Jamaica before moving to the United States where he was born in 1960, during a period when African American ethnicities (blacks) living in the United States were significantly affected by the association of criminal activities (Gabbidon et al., p.16). I strongly believe that; from the evidence provided by the author, he was motivated by wrong jurisdictions subjected to a particular ethnic group due to their skin color.

Q4. What was the crime? How did it occur? Explain its significance and how it is related to policing.

The criminal activity being addressed in this book is the act of grouping people, with reference to their nationality of origin, cultural background and or, skin color, and attachment of criminal practices to a specific group of people. It happened when the Europeans and Native Americans collaborated in the assimilation of one another, closing the blacks out of their activities, and instead, choose to establish dominance over them, and enslave them for personal and trade benefits. The issue regarding race and crime has become significant in the apparent world, which has led to the establishment of black lives initiatives such as ‘Black Lives Matter,’ which has seen great support across the globe (Gabbidon et al., p.126). It thereby leading to a major revolution in policing such as, equal treatment to all persons regardless of nationality, ethnicity or cultural background.

Q5. Who was/were the victim(s) and the perpetrator(s)? What was/were their race? How significant their race to their roles and in the story line?

The victims from the book are people of the black community, both Africans and Black Americans, who were subjected to race and crime by the Native Americans and Europeans, whites, who regarded themselves as the 'whitest' among all other communities (Gabbidon et al., p.8). The effect of whites racism subjected to blacks was equally significant since the globe constitutes a large number of whites as compared to blacks. Since the whites were a stronger and reliable population, the rest of the world was influenced into believing that the black population was inferior and ended up supporting the Native Americans and Europeans in the oppression of blacks.

Q6. When and where did the crime take place? Why were these details important?

This activity took place in the United States of America, where the Europeans were exploring in search of better opportunities, as well as the African community (Gabbidon et al., p.10). These details are crucial as they help outline where these kinds of criminal practices began, and the evolution of policing from the region in the present-day, to try and create equal opportunities and balance among the population for better living conditions for all human population.

Q7. How did the police/law enforcement respond? Explain the significance of their actions.

At first, the law enforcers appeared to be supporting the notion that had been established regarding racism. They went to an extent of regulating the kind of race that was eligible for serving in the administration and even carrying out research studies to determine that the DNAs between blacks and whites were different (Gabbidon et al., p.163). On realizing that both blacks and whites had the same kind of DNA, the law enforcement bodies have, however, overturned their notion, encouraging the law enforcers to be impartial and treat the public under equal judgments.

Q8. Were there witnesses? What role did they play in the storyline?

During the early days as the idea of race and crime was being theorized and established, virtually the whole world was concurring with the Native Americans and Europeans, and therefore, there were no parties that were ready to act as witnesses and stand for what justice is (Gabbidon et al., p.21). However, the emergence of bodies such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has shed light on the issue, as it presents itself as a representative defending the black community.

Q9. What is/are the controversy (ies) dealing with race, crime, and the law issues highlighted in your film or book? Please be as specific as possible!

The main highlighted controversy in the book is the use of DNA to determine whether the black population are the same humans as whites. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) raised a concern about the issue, regarding it as an infringement of human privacy. Another controversy was when the Jews arrived in America (Gabbidon et al., p.341). Their fares had not been sorted out, and therefore, the court demanded that two individuals should be imprisoned, and confiscate and sell the rest of the Jews belonging to pay their transport fees.

Q10. Is there a precedent dealing with this issue? Has the law/legal system caught up or adequately address the issues noted in the film? If it has not, what would you suggest be done to resolve the legal conundrum?

Prior, that is, at the climax of racial and crime subjection practices, there was no law set against these vices. However, with age, and due to increased concerns among the public, the legal system has caught up with the issues, thereby demanding the court to design and implement laws against implicit bias (Gabbidon et al., p.137). This policy guides magistrates from making decisions that may be skewed due to prejudicial points of view.

Q11. Explain in detail how this film is related to the readings related to the topics in your readings.

While studying and analyzing the book, I found it to be relatable to the readings that we conduct while pursuing this course via several ways. The book addresses on issues concerning policing, which are relatable to the procedure through which law enforcement and regulations are carried out.

Q12. Did you feel that the punishment fit the crime(s)? Was the law upheld? Was justice served? Why or why not?

Punishment subjected to the blacks was certainly unnecessary, going by the evidence derived from the book. Considering they made mistakes, the English man, who happens to be white agrees that, ‘human is to error,’ and blacks being humans, the punishments subjected to them does not appear to be fair. While justice may have finally been upheld by the courts through establishing their standpoint and choosing to be against racism, it took a while to be served, and while justice delayed is justice denied, the victims who may have lost their lives out of the practice have not lived to enjoy the right of freedom to all humanity (Gabbidon et al., p.304).

Q13. Who were the other characters portrayed in the book or film ? What were their roles? Explain their significance.

Native Americans, Europeans, and black populations may have been intensely involved in carrying out the actions. However, other races were involved in issues concerning race and crime, and they include; Jewish Americans, German Americans, Latino Americans, Irish Americans, Arab Americans, Asian Indians, Japanese Americans, Mexicans, Filipinos, and Koreans (Gabbidon et al., p.8-40). In as much as they received harsh treatment during the first immigrations, these groups assimilated with the Native Americans and ended up siding with the Native Americans, they, however, did not significantly participate in carrying out the practices of the slave trade.

Q14. Explain in detail how this book or film is related to what you have been learning about policing. You must be as specific as possible to demonstrate that you have read the book or watched this film. Also, you must cite the relevant lectures, readings, and headlines.

Upon analyzing the statics provided by the book, that is, on Table 2.3, Reported Violent Crime Arrests by Race, 2012–2016, in Gabbidon & Greene, p.59, the total number of murder arrests made due to murder of all races was 8,506 individuals, while that of African American race alone was 4,203, and 4,101 individuals from the whites’ race. In 2013, the total arrest made from the same crime of murder was 8,383. The black race contributed a total number of 4,379 individuals, and the white race had 3,799 individuals arrested for murder.

Q15. What did you learn about race and crime and policing after reading your book or watching your film?

The book is great at informing on the statistics along with the court system addressing individuals by race and was an eye-opener on my perspective of jury duty selection (Gabbidon et al., p.162). Race is a big factor in identifying crime, as African Americans have a higher likelihood of committing a crime, and Whites are ranked second. These prejudiced perspectives extend to workplaces, where the black population experience tough times during job hunting, as they are rejected for being black, and not because the background check indicates suspicions.

Q16. What question(s) or issue(s) do you wish the writer(s) or playwright would have discussed that was not addressed?

The author ought to have conducted further studies on treatment towards Asians and individuals from the Middle East in the policing and justice system. I would also have provided further incitements and a wider scope on race being an issue in decisions made in the policy and justice system.

Q17. Who do you think might find this book or film interesting? In other words, who would be the target audience? Who should also read this book or watch this film?

This book is great and provides for statics across different generations. It also outlines the evolution of the law and policing system, during and after the slave trade era (Gabbidon et al., p.247). The book would be a great study for individuals pursuing courses in the field of Criminal Justice, and anybody who aspires to obtain knowledge regarding race and crime.

Q18. What were the strengths and weaknesses of this book or film? Discuss at least one (1) for each.

The book came out strongly in establishing the nature in which the Native Americans, Europeans, and African Americans interacted. It also provides for a considerable qualitative analysis with questions regarding crime and policing. However, the book does not strongly establish the significance and or roles of the other races during the slave trade era.

Q19. In your opinion, describe the most crucial scene and mono/dialogue in your book or film? Explain its significance to you. Be sure to cite this information (include quotes from the conversation).

The African American offending practices triggers the mirroring of infinite features linked to the oppression and ways they affect the forms of offending and being resilient. For instance from the book, ‘crime is a phenomenon of organized social life, and is the open rebellion of an individual against his social environment. Naturally then, if men are suddenly transported from one environment to another; the result is lack of harmony with the new conditions; lack of harmony with the new physical surroundings leading to disease and death or modification of physique; lack of harmony with social surroundings leading to crime,’ (Gabbidon et al., p.82)

Q20. Imagine that you are a film or book critic for the local college newspaper. What rating would you give this book or film (out of 5 stars)? Would you recommend this book or film to another college student, family, or friend? Why or why not? Explain.

I would give the book ‘Race and Crime’ a rating of 4.3 stars. Considering the vastness of the research conducted and provided, I would highly recommend the book for a college student pursuing a relatable course because it has the capacity of providing reliable information during research studies. For friends or family, I would recommend the book to an individual who shows the interest of being informed with similar information, for both knowledge and pleasure.

Reference.

Gabbidon, Shaun L., and Helen Taylor Greene. Race and crime. Sage Publications, Fifth Ed. (2018): 8-380.