The Not-So-Nefarious Reason for White Crime Stat Confusion

Misclassification is not part of some elaborate plot.

Share this story

ronstik/Getty Images

Are statistics on white crime being manipulated?

Over the past few years, anyone using Twitter/X or even Facebook has probably seen racialist but often technically skilled bloggers post pictures of exotic-looking criminal defendants — bearded Middle Easterners, Latin American gang sicarios — who have been classified as “white” by regional sheriff’s departments. The implication, of course, is that this may well be a national statistical problem. However, until this year, no one has conducted any rigorous, at-scale quantitative test of the potential issue.

Wilfred Reilly

About the Author

Wilfred Reilly

Wilfred Reilly is an associate professor of political science at Kentucky State University and the author, most recently, of Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me.

Comments

Advertisement

Advertisement