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Race, racialisation and ‘colonial common sense’ in capital cases of men of colour in England and Wales, 1919–1957
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 19:34 authored by Lizzie SealLizzie Seal, Alexa NealeAlexa NealeThis article explores the role of ‘colonial common sense’ (Stoler, 2008) in racialising men of colour in capital cases in twentieth-century England and Wales. Following the First World War psychiatric and psychological discourses became more prominent in both the criminal justice system and the wider culture, but were not the primary means through which race was constructed in capital trials. Rather, colonially informed common sense understandings of racial difference were more significant and were themselves an aspect of medical expertise, such as prison medicine. The article discusses cases such as Djang Djin Sung, the first man of colour to be executed in England after the First World War, Lock Ah Tam, who was hanged in 1926 despite benefiting from a well-funded insanity defence and Eric Dique, who murdered his girlfriend in 1956. Analysis of cases of men of colour sentenced to death in this period contributes to uncovering the history of racism in the criminal justice system.
Funding
Race, Racialisation and the Death Penalty in England and Wales, 1900-65; G2062; LEVERHULME TRUST; RPG-2016-352
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Open Library of HumanitiesISSN
2056-6700Publisher
Open Library of HumanitiesExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
5Page range
1-22Department affiliated with
- Sociology and Criminology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2019-11-07First Open Access (FOA) Date
2019-11-07First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2019-11-06Usage metrics
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