Social Conflict & Critical Criminology

After the recent death of George Floyd and the world wide civil discord- protesting (with some rioting and violence but mostly peaceful) that resulted, there has been an immediate call for change specifically in how black men are unjustly treated by law enforcement – a need to examine and reform our criminal justice system and the challenges that this will present. George Floyd has become the symbol of systemic racism in the USA and for this movement calling for change and reform. It was the ‘tipping point’ for when the majority of citizens call out – enough is enough and are impassioned and outraged enough to to demand immediate change.We have not seen this type of movement since the Civil Rights movements (1954-1968). Why now- what do you think is happened? What are the correlates and system root causes that may have acted to incite this type of immediate action?
The central issue in revolves around the idea that crime is a function of social conflict. Critical criminologists view crime as a function of social conflict, which can be both beneficial when it inspires social change and destructive when it leads to war and violence. In the context of terrorism, critical criminology provides a unique lens through which to evaluate the underpinnings of terrorism and the role of individuals and institutions in this crime. The terrorist attack on French magazine Charlie Hebdo is but one of many examples of a terrorist attack that may be usefully evaluated against critical criminology theory. After viewing the case study video on “The Charlie Hebdo Attack” and other examples within your text such as the showing of protesters clash with police during demonstration that followed th police killing of Laquan McDonald in downtown Chicago what are your thoughts about the role that social conflict, critical criminology, and restorative justice may play in helping to find some methods to reduce such tensions and provide some justice? Do you think that concepts such as reintegrative shaming work? What about the process of restoration – programs that help to rehabilitate? What about reconciliation and mediation programs? Please provide some examples of what types of programs – when you feel they would work- and on the type of population and/or criminal behavior? Do you feel that racial and other forms of discrimination are going on (racism)- please provide some examples? What do you feel would help to eliminate some of social conflict areas we are currently witnessing? Going back to our discussion about the theories of Anomie, do you feel that any of the theories and practices we have studied in this chapter would work to help to ameliorate those types of feelings and the social conflict that accompanies those feelings?

Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

Name of the student

Answer

Social Conflict and Critical Criminology

We live in a world when human rights are for everybody, where governments or law enforcement systems should not interfere in the magnitude seen with Floyd’s case. The demonstration and #Black Live Matter movement have been greater than before as it occurred when people had had enough of the systematic racism and discrimination of a black person. Moreover, we all see and hear the president’s comments and perceptions of racism. Without the president fighting for equality and promoting systematic racism, the movement is bound to explode and demand constructive change. The development of criminal behavior and crime in an individual is a complex circle involving the contribution of economic, cultural, political, and social aspects. Hence, social conflict, critical criminology, and restorative justice play a crucial role in explaining the circle and identifying exact areas that promote the development of criminal behavior. With accurate sources and diverse understanding, developing restorative, reconciliation programs, and mediation is easy as they target specific causal factors. Thus increasing effectiveness and efficiency in understanding, preventing, and reducing criminal behavior development.

Reintegrative shaming does not work in most cases, as criminals are deviant and resistant to any form of sanctions. Criminals will always find a way to go above the penalty and commit more crimes. However, restoration and reconciliation programs, as well as mediation, especially between criminal groups and law enforcement, are essential as they yield positive results. Sanctioning a criminal instigates curiosity and the need to provoke. However, providing arenas for rehabilitation, justice restoration, and peace development prompts a need to change for the betterment of society and oneself. For instance, developing former prisoner assistance, victim assistance, community service, peacemaking, and restitution programs help promote restorative justice among criminals.

Racism until today continues to be experienced even at local levels. Institutional racism is the most pronounced and experienced. Moreover, we have personally mediated and internalized forms of racism that occur daily in all domains of our lives. Enforcing change requires understanding all casual factors that make people susceptible to criminal behavior development. This is seen through the diverse theories and perspectives learned making them essential, as mitigation strategies could be developed to address specific and diverse issues.