Gilroy: the myth of black criminality

• Believe it is a myth created by racist stereotypes of African Caribbeans and Asians
• In reality these groups are no more criminal than any other
• ethnic minority crime can be seen as a form of political resistance against a racist society, and this resistance has its roots in earlier struggles against British imperialism
• He argues that w/c crime is a political act of resistance against capitalism
• Criticisms - Lea and Young:

  • first generation immigrants in 1950's and 60's were very law abiding, so it is unlikely they passed down a tradition of anti-colonial struggle.
  • crime is intra-ethnic
  • Asian crime rates are similar to or lower than whites - police are only racist towards blacks