American Violence: Survival, Healing, and the Failure of American Policy

by Richard G. Wright

Overview

Richard Wright analyzes the current state of violence in America, the criminal justice system’s response, and the experiences of survivors in the aftermath of a violent crime. Despite decades of advocacy, change, and research, our policy responses embedded with historic and systemic values which rank victims and survivors not based on their trauma and loss, but by race, social status, gender, location, and age, remain quite flawed. Keeping the big picture in mind, Wright analyzes the unintended consequences of current, well-meaning policies, critiques the victim hierarchy, and sheds light on why American responses to the needs of violent crime victims have accrued a more failures than successes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781793600585
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	10/15/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	314
Sales rank:	984,191
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Richard G. Wright is professor of criminal justice at Bridgewater State University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: American Violence

Chapter 2: The Primary American Response to Violence: Incarceration & Punishment

Chapter 3: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: The Victim Impact Statement

Chapter 4: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: Victim Compensation

Chapter 5: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: Gun Violence Victims

Chapter 6: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Chapter 7: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: The Activist Victim and Crime Policy

Chapter 8: An Alternative: An American Truth and Reconciliation Commission?

Editorial Reviews

This volume by Wright(Bridgewater State Univ.) is a reflexive survey of the impact of mass violence on the lives of Americans, a topic especially close to the author after he lost his sister and her family. Given the nature of his sister's death, he readily states his bias against violence, specifically gun violence, though, in this reviewer's opinion, opposition to violence should be seen as a commitment to objectivity, not a sign of bias. Wright opens the book with quotes from political leaders' public statements following high-profile assassinations or mass attacks, noting that the emphasis in such public discourse is on the need for healing rather than the need for justice for the victims. He ultimately recommends the US move away from the overcrowded carceral system in favor of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission approach.

Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels.

Choice Reviews

Informed by a disquieting personal tragedy and a remarkable mastery of extant research, Richard Wright illuminates the nature and impact of American violence. He weaves together statistics and narratives to capture the scope and toll of violent victimization. Reading American Violence is an intellectual and, importantly, an emotional experience as victims’ harms and the current failure to address them are detailed. Ultimately, this book is about the soul of America and about our collective obligation to do better for victims of violence by embracing justice and humanity in these challenging times.

Francis T. Cullen

This volume by Wright (Bridgewater State Univ.) is a reflexive survey of the impact of mass violence on the lives of Americans, a topic especially close to the author after he lost his sister and her family. Given the nature of his sister's death, he readily states his bias against violence, specifically gun violence, though, in this reviewer's opinion, opposition to violence should be seen as a commitment to objectivity, not a sign of bias. Wright opens the book with quotes from political leaders' public statements following high-profile assassinations or mass attacks, noting that the emphasis in such public discourse is on the need for healing rather than the need for justice for the victims. He ultimately recommends the US move away from the overcrowded carceral system in favor of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission approach. Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels.

Choice

This volume by Wright (Bridgewater State Univ.) is a reflexive survey of the impact of mass violence on the lives of Americans, a topic especially close to the author after he lost his sister and her family. Given the nature of his sister's death, he readily states his bias against violence, specifically gun violence, though, in this reviewer's opinion, opposition to violence should be seen as a commitment to objectivity, not a sign of bias. Wright opens the book with quotes from political leaders' public statements following high-profile assassinations or mass attacks, noting that the emphasis in such public discourse is on the need for healing rather than the need for justice for the victims. He ultimately recommends the US move away from the overcrowded carceral system in favor of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission approach.

Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels.

CHOICE