Defining Race,Ethnicity,and Social Distance: Their Impact on Crime,Criminal Victimization,and the Criminal Justice Processing of Minorities

Abstract

This paper examines the social, cultural, and biological realities of the popular as well as scientific use of the terms race and ethnicity then examines the significance of “social distance” in the criminal justice context which frequently involves Negroids, Hispanics, and other nonwhite minorities. It provides an analysis of the possible impact of them is application of the concepts race and ethnicity, and thus, social distance, upon the crime commission, criminal victimization, and criminal justice processing of “Blacks” and other nonwhite ethnic and racial minorities. It concludes with seven pertinent research questions that could be explored which would further the understanding of the role race, ethnicity, and social distance play in the perpetration of crimes by minorities as well as the criminal victimization and criminal justice processing of minorities.

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