Anti-Racist Criminology

Anti-Racist Criminology is the first book to reckon with issues of race, racism, and anti-racism in the field, both at the individual level and at the institutional level within the university and the criminal justice system writ large. The authors provide an overview and historical understanding of the field's engagement with racist practices, starting with the slave codes and how that connects to the abuses of "stop and frisk." Given the influence that criminological reporting, statistics, and modeling can have on public debates about crime, the authors stress the field's important role in shaping these debates. The book addresses three central questions the authors call the "3 Ws" of anti-racist criminology: why it is important that criminologists take up the goal of anti-racism; what anti-racist principles should criminologists aim to incorporate into their work; and who should take up what roles in the endeavor. The authors explore how these questions apply to research, teaching, and public engagement, and provide "how-tos" for academics interested in anti-racist work. They also offer readers resources to draw upon as they refine their anti-racist ideas and practices. The book closes with a discussion of how anti-racist criminology enhances our understanding of crime, punishment, and harm. Ultimately, Anti-Racist Criminology empowers readers to reimagine how they design research projects, teach, and interact with communities as they participate in a broader movement for social justice and equity.