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79 Crime L. & Soc. Change 1 (2023)

handle is hein.journals/crmlsc79 and id is 1 raw text is: Crime, Law and Social Change (2023) 79:1-20 https:Ildoi.org/l0.1007/si0611-022-10032-3 A color-blind Lens: public perceptions of systemic racism in the criminal justice system Adam Dunbar' Mia Abboud Holbrook' Accepted: 27 April 2022 / Published online: 14 May 2022 @The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2022 Abstract Extensive research has explored public confidence in the criminal justice system and opinions about punishment, but less research has explored attitudes about crimi- nal justice errors, including error related to race and racism. Drawing on the theory of colorblind racism, the current study examines attitudes about whether systemic racism exists in the criminal justice system and, if so, how the issue can best be addressed. Specifically, we examine the rhetoric respondents use to describe the role of systemic racism in the criminal justice system, paying particular attention to the presence of colorblind rhetorical frames. Findings indicate that although a major- ity of respondents believe systemic racism exists, many respondents attribute the problem to specific individuals or policies rather than institutions and organizations. Moreover, those who believe systemic racism does not exist often rely on color- blind rhetorical frames that justify or minimize existing racial disparities in criminal justice outcomes. These findings suggest reasons for optimism regarding efforts to address racial injustice as well as some potential obstacles. More than fifty years after the Civil Rights Movements, racism remains a fault line in American society. This is particularly evident in the criminal justice system. For example, policymakers have called for reforms addressing racially biased polic- ing and sentencing practices (Donnelly, 2017; Niven & Donnelly, 2020). Calls to address racial disparities in criminal justice outcomes have also come from the pub- lic in the form of nation-wide protests (Obasogie & Newman, 2017). At the same time, however, protests and legislation aimed at addressing broader racial injustice have experienced public and political resistance. Legislation aimed at addressing racial injustice has stalled in Congress (e.g., George Floyd Justice in Policing Act) and protests condemning racialized police misconduct have experienced violent backlash. The polarization regarding racial injustice exists while research continues E Adam Dunbar adamdunbar@unr.edu Department of Criminal Justice, University of Nevada, Ansari Business, Room 611, Reno, NV 89557, USA I Springer

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