Hate crimes and ethnoviolence : the history, current affairs, and future of discrimination in America : essays

Over the past twenty years, Howard J. Ehrlich conducted the first national surveys of ethnoviolence, helped design the protocol for identifying hate crimes, and has served as the director of The Prejudice Institute. This collection of essays is the result of his unparalleled research in this vital area of study. Ehrlich introduces the ten dimensions of America's social heritage that are necessary for a complete understanding of prejudice and coherently explains the complex differences between ethnoviolence and hate crimes. Through analysis of network television news programs and in-depth interviews with newspaper editors and reporters, Ehrlich explores how our mainstream media maintains racial and ethnic stereotypes. Case studies (the Oklahoma City bombing, Rodney King riots, Columbine High School shootings, and Hurricane Katrina) show how traumatic events are manipulated by political elites and the news media to shape intergroup relations. Ehrlich concludes with a personal and political look at the concentration of power in the United States and the increasing incidence of political ignorance as a tool of oppression. Howard J. Ehrlich is the director of The Prejudice Institute (formerly the National Institute Against Prejudice and Violence) and the recipient of the Sociological Practice Award from the Society for the Applied Study of Sociology and the SAGES Award from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Ehrlich conducted the first national survey of ethnoviolence, helped design the protocol for identifying hate crimes, and wrote and produced the nationally syndicated radio program The Great Atlantic Radio Conspiracy for which he won nine national awards for documentary productions. Ehrlich Introduces The Ten Dimensions Of America's Social Heritage That Are Necessary For A Complete Understanding Of Prejudice And Explains The Complex Differences Between Ethnoviolence And Hate Crimes. Through Analysis Of Network Television News Programs And In-depth Interviews With Newspaper Editors And Reporters, Ehrlich Explores How Our Mainstream Media Maintains Racial And Ethnic Stereotypes. Case Studies (the Oklahoma City Bombing, Rodney King Riots, Columbine High School Shootings, And Hurricane Katrina) Show How Traumatic Events Are Manipulated By Political Elites And The News Media To Shape Intergroup Relations. Ehrlich Concludes With A Personal And Political Look At The Concentration Of Power In The United States And The Increasingly Prevalent And Concerning Employment Of Political Ignorance As A Tool Of Oppression.--from Publisher Description. The Social Conditions Of Ethnoviolence -- Ethnoviolence And Hate Crimes -- Further Observations : Some Questions, Some Answers -- Ethnoviolence And The News Media -- The Gatekeepers Of Newspapers -- The Production Of Pathology : The Social Function Of Local Tv News -- The Design Of Local Tv News : If It's White, It's Right -- Lessons Learned -- Prejudice And Ethnoviolence On Campus -- Profiling The Belief Structure Of Right-wing Groups -- A Brief Note On The Politics Of Ignorance -- Step By Step : A Personal Trek. By Howard J. Ehrlich. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.