The Criminalization of Black Women through Social Media

• In Event: Roundtable: Media Criminology

Abstract

The aspect of women and crime are two subjects that are often overlooked in a male dominated world. Utilizing secondary data, statistics have shown the rise of women participating in criminal activities usually held by men. In particular, women of color have been scrutinized through social media through the usage of stereotypical images, painting them as loud, angry, animalistic individuals. Thus, it is important to utilize a qualitative study that explores the representations of black women and their interpretations displayed on social media in order to provide insight of how it correlates with criminality.

Authors

• Gloria Okere, Texas Southern University

• LaSheria Nance-Bush, Texas Southern University

• Melissa Kwende, Texas Southern University