Social Structure Theory: Senseless Hate Crime

Social Structure Theory: Senseless Hate Crime

Tommorra Shelton

CJA/314

December 22, 2014

Renee Grengs

Social Structure Theory: Senseless Hate Crime

“Social Structure theories assert that the disadvantaged economic class position is the primary cause of crime. The theories state that neighborhoods that are "lower class" create forces of strain, frustration, and disorganization that create crime" (Inchaustegui, n.d.). The "Senseless Hate Crime" video demonstrates that Julio Rivera's murder supports and can be viewed by using the social structure abstract form. The accompanying information will clarify and support the social structure theory, and show a clarification to the type of social issues raised, and demonstrate what a percentage of the conceivable implications will be for social policy change.

Theory of Senseless Hate Crime

Social structure theory consists of three significant forms of theories; social disorganization, strain theory, and culture conflict theory. These speculations have unequivocal veracities in connection to resources and specific individual’s encounters. In regards to the “Senseless Hate Crime” video, the most fitting will be the culture conflict theory. Culture conflict theory, also called cultural deviance theory, purposes that crimes happen because the conflict of morals that emerges when diverse social gatherings have distinctive thoughts on what is known as satisfactory behavior.

There were several distinct social groups involved in the "Senseless Hate Crime" incident; the skinheads, gay organizations, law enforcement, media, and the mayor. All of these groups played a significant role in demonstrating how the conflict of morals gave light to the strong feelings and beliefs about what was acceptable behavior. The perpetrators were associated with a skinhead gang called the DMS (Doc Marten Stompers). Their beliefs were that,  the homeless, blacks, Hispanics, and homosexuals were not worthy people and were not immune to being victims of society. In the case of Julio Rivera, neither of the perpetrators had any previous contact with the victim. Rivera being at the wrong place, at the wrong time was simply murdered because he was gay.  

Social Issues Raised

        The murder of Julio Rivera caused a lot of agitation within the community. The culture conflict theory was not immediately seen by law enforcement, who initially did not want to catalog it as a bias-motivated assault. The manner in which Rivera was murdered had shown how the perpetrators were motivated by pure hatred of gays. Some members of the community were inclined to think the members of the DMS gang were given permission to murder homosexuals who lived in the city.  The murder of Julio was an unfortunate, yet common incident of gay bashing in the Jackson Heights community. Law enforcement was not putting forth any effort to investigate the murder. There was not any coverage done by the media and a broad agreement by the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgender) community opted to forget about it.  Julio’s death remained unsolved for four months. After much protesting from Julio’s family and the LGBT community, the police gave a second look at the case. There was a lot of pressure placed on City Hall from community groups and gay organizations to not dismiss the case as just another murder.