Domestic Violence in Black and White: Racialized Gender Stereotypes in Gender Violence

Abstract

This article explores the relationship of sex and power in the formation of race and gender stereotypes. It specifically explores how normative conceptualizations and essentialist concepts require the existence and perpetuation of stereotype, and how the objects of sterotype are implicitly placed in competition with "others" for recognition as normative. This article discusses how the subtle uses of stereotype affect the attainment of justice and community perceptions of such justice. It focusses on how stereotype is used to determine who may legtimately claim the status of victim in the pursuit of justice. This article also discusses the role of juries, and our perceptions of how juries fulfill that role, in community perceptions of justice. Finally, this article explores means of minimizing the effects of stereotype within the justice system. It explores the use of existing procedural norms, such as rules of ethics and of evidence, that might more effectively be used to avoid the prejudicial effects of stereotype.

JEL Classification: K4, K49