The Color of Crime, Third Edition: Racial Hoaxes, White Crime, Media Messages, Police Violence, and Other Race-Based Harms

by Russell-Brown

How we can understand race, crime, and punishment in the age of Black Lives Matter



When The Color of Crime was first published in 1998, it was heralded as a path-breaking book on race and crime. Now, in its third edition, Katheryn Russell-Brown's book is more relevant than ever, as police killings of unarmed Black civilians--such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Daniel Prude--continue to make headlines around the world. She continues to ask, why do Black and white Americans perceive police actions so differently? Is white fear of Black crime justified?

With three new chapters, over forty new racial hoax cases, and other timely updates, this edition offers an even more expansive view of crime and punishment in the twenty-first century. Russell-Brown gives us much-needed insight into some of the most recent racial hoaxes, such as the one perpetrated by Amy Cooper. Should perpetrators of racial hoaxes be charged with a felony? Further, Russell-Brown makes a compelling case for race and crime literacy and the need to address and name White crime. Russell-Brown powerfully concludes the book with a parable that invites readers to imagine what would happen if Blacks decided to abandon the United States.

Russell-Brown explores the tacit and subtle ways that crime is systematically linked to people of color. The Color of Crime is a lucid and forceful volume that calls for continued vigilance on the part of scholars, policymakers, journalists, and others in the age of Black Lives Matter.

Genres: Nonfiction, Race, Politics, Law, Sociology, History, Feminism

255 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1997

Reviews

[Briar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and informative. The author does an excellent job at explaining the basics. If unsure where to start or how to explain these topics, this book will help.

[Shane Schirmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be an interesting read, but instead I was treated to a lot of the same old, same old. Quantum leaps, jumping to conclusions, and disappointing backup of points written as fact. Russell-Brown certainly seems like an interesting, intelligent person, but the information seemed a bit thin. For instance, she claims that lynchings were advertised in local papers in the early 1900s. She goes on to quote a piece by W.E.B. DuBois, stating that this was the case, regarding a 1917 lynching. Unfortunately, neither the author, nor DuBois, references what publication this lynching was advertised in. This is just one of countless examples in this book of the documentation for accused events runs a bit thin.
I’m happy I read the book, as I found her point of view interesting, but it should be read with the knowledge that nothing groundbreaking is going to be exposed.

[Kendall Lauber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a really important and well done book, and especially impressive that it was first published over 25 years ago. Reads a lot like a textbook, which does make sense! Some chapters felt a little disconnected from each other but still definitely a worthwhile read

[fayth]

read for a class and really enjoyed it