Criminology: White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant?
A couple of weeks ago we published part of the conference blurb for the forthcoming British Society of Criminology conference:
'Criminology, like other core social science disciplines, reflects a tendency to over-write the metropolitan experiences of the Northern hemisphere. Criminology’s starting point, therefore, is based upon the continual attempt to reinvent, improve, or make more just, a ‘rule of law’ society in the image of the hegemon. Such over-writing takes its toll on the ‘discipline’ in multi-faceted ways, all of which tend to contribute to hegemonic epistemologies and practices that serve to marginalise different ways of thinking about, and engaging with, an alternative criminological enterprise.'
'Over-write'? 'Hegemonic epistemologies'? What did it all mean? We asked for translations.
We weren't exactly overwhelmed by responses. Perhaps others were as bamboozled as we were. But the ones we did get where good.
Robert Shaw offered us the following, clear and succinct translation:
'Criminology is a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant discipline which marginalises non-White, non-Anglo-Saxon and non-North European Protestant ways of thinking'.
Peter Toole sent in more detailed, equally lucid, wording:
'Criminology focuses on urban problems in advanced industrial nations. Its core concerns, notably with the rule of law, tend to serve the interests of ruling elites. Criminological knowledge therefore reinforces existing divisions and hierarchies at the expense of exploring alternatives'.
Peter added:
'I'm pleased you've highlighted this awful example of poor academic prose. I'm not sure how 'the metropole' is supposed to listen when nobody understands what is being said to it.'
We'd like to thank both Robert and Peter for giving us a giggle.
And don't let the conference blurb put you off attending. There'll be plenty of papers and presentations to give even the most knowledgeable of sorts a good intellectual workout.
Related items
British Society of Criminology Conference in Liverpool (10 January, 2014)