Question 1
Based on chapter 8, it is apparent that, the basic aspect of crime and race construction is that people particularly officers view race as a major element in identifying criminals (Barak, et. al, 2010). Of utmost importance is the fact that courts tend to view race as one of the major determining cause of an individual’s defiant behaviour and involvement into crime. Additionally, law on crime is racially selective an aspect that makes the construction of race and crime concur (Barak, et. al, 2010).
Question 2
Vices or “victimless crimes” fit into the social construction of crimes when a certain social movement, group or individual advocates for the legalization of the vice while the counterpart group, individual or movement work to outlaw it. Arguably, it is believed that crimes are socially constructed by the government to outlaw something, additionally, another reason that re-counts the social construction of crime is the fact that people like forcing others into obeying their individually set morals (Barak, et. al, 2010).
Additionally, vices or “victimless fit into the social construction of crime as mentioned herein based on the fact that, one group will always advocate for the victimless crime on grounds that it does not harm or cause any apparent injury to anyone while the counterpart group will work against it on grounds that it is immoral. Based on this, vices or “victimless crimes” will always fit into the social construction of crimes.
Question 3
Imagine by John Lennon best represents the modern racial relations in the United States. To ascertain the credibility of this choice is the fact that America have a black president (Obama) voted by both the white and black people of America. If racism was still rampant in United States, the elections that crowned Obama as the president could have been chaotic or otherwise offer America a white president. Additionally, considering that the whites comprise the majority of the population and a black president took the top seat, it is evident that the modern racial relations in the United States is positive despite a few reported instances of racism.
Question 4
Evidently, while some laws are formulated to achieve a wide consensus of what ought to be prohibited, other laws are seen to echo or rather foster the interests of particular powerful groups that have explicit access and influential capacity in the law making process (Barak, et. al, 2010, p. 195). Furthermore, it is apparent that different races have unequal access to power, prestige and the resumed worth, derived from property economic resources and politics.
The influential race that has control over the minor races will influence the formulation and the implementation of a law that supresses the minority and exemplifies them. Considering that the court system of America have the whites comprising the majority, it has been established that rules with severe punishments are strongly adhered to when dealing with a black than a white.
Question 5
-The last passage of page 196
-The third passage of page 197
-The second passage of page 198
Question 6
With a close analysis of the three passages mentioned above, it is palpable to deduce that power, politics, and money are factors that influence law making and the implementation of the same. It is apparent that that those with the influence of money and politics can work to align the law in favour of their destructive actions. Those with political influence will always advocate for the implementation of laws that will protect their illegally acquired wealth and destructive actions.
Of importance to deduce from the three passages mentioned herein is the fact that the majority and influential group will always ensure that the minority are suppressed so as to make them inferior for as long as they want.
Reference
Barak, G., Leighton, P., & Flavin, J. (2010). Class, race, gender, and crime: The social
realities of justice in America. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield.
