September 7, 2015

Media Portrayal of  White Criminals

In one prominent example, an 18-year-old man and his 13-year-old girlfriend from Kentucky went on a multi-state crime spree, stealing vehicles and store items, as well as causing property damage in numerous localities. Instead of condemning their acts as criminals, many in the media romanticized the white couple as a modern-day "Bonnie and Clyde" and "teen sweethearts".

HOW DOES THIS CONNECT TO STRUCTURAL RACISM?:

The way this couple was portrayed illustrates the central role that institutions, such as mass media, have in shaping racialized public perceptions of crime.

For more the media potrayal of white criminals see, " The Media White Privilege" .