Super Predatory Essay

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For much of the history of the United States, men of color have continuously faced negative portrayals from the white dominated society, often through the use of negative stereotypes. However, it was not until the 1980s that negative portrayals of youths began to appear with academia and the government. Since the 80s, California police have steadily seen their power in poor urban areas grow with the passage of laws in order to combat the many gangs operating within its borders. Of the laws passed, none has been more influence than the California Criminal Street Gang Offenses and Enhancements Act. In short, the act states that if someone were to commit a crime while being related to gang activity, additional charges would be added in addition to the original crime. Additionally, police departments are given access to gang databases that are used to help identify (or misidentify) people that could be gang affiliated. Within academia, the negative portrayals could be traced to the Princeton Professor John Dilulio’s 1996 “Super Predator” thesis. Within this thesis, Dilulio argues that there is a new breed of juveniles had begun to emerge from society with what could only be described as an …show more content…

Generally, these youths accomplish their resistance in two distinct categorizations. The first categorization of resistance is those that could be described as positive methods. In this method, youths of color engage in manner of resistance with a general foal in mind. If there is shooting of an unarmed man by police, the response is to hold a vigil and engage in protests. If the youth wish to express their grievances against the system, the response is to join a grassroots movement. This contrasts with the other category of resistance, the negative method of

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