Conflict Theories in The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia - Term Paper Example

? Conflict Theories in The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia CRJ 360 19 November The Whites of Boone County, West Virginia cannot be easily described in one word. On the one hand, defense attorneys illustrated them as “dangerous” lawless elements (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). On the other hand, Boone County musicians saw them as rebels who have either psychological problems or socio-economic issues (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). This paper analyzes the case of the Whites in the documentary film The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia, produced by Doering and directed by Nitzberg (2009). The documentary followed the Whites for one year, interviewing them at various points in their lives, as well as other key people around them, such as the police and lawyers. The paper used conflict theories in analyzing the criminal roots and manifestations of the film, wherein these theories are based on concepts and claims from Durkheim, Marx and Engels (Lilly, Cullen, & Ball, 2011, p. 167). Conflict criminology has several theories, but this paper focuses on the theories from Marx and Engels, Bonger, and Sutherland. Conflict theories generally argue that crime is socially and economically produced, where capitalism breeds social conflicts that produce criminal attitudes and behaviors (Lilly et al., 2011, p. 172). Conflict theories have some explanatory power in understanding some of the causes of the White’s criminology, but they cannot predict or explain the Whites’ individual criminal and non-criminal differences. Conflict theories in criminology have a leftist-realist ideology, where criminality is not merely a product of individual will, but a reaction to social and economic inequalities (Lilly et al., 2011, p. 172). Marx and Engels suggested that capitalism creates a criminogenic environment, which results in class conflicts (Lilly et al., 2011, p. 168). Durkheim agreed that the socio-economic system had effects on crime, but unlike Marx and Engels who recommended economic solutions, the former suggested the use of social controls to curb crime (Lilly et al., 2011, p. 168). Marx and Engels argued that conflict is inherent in the capitalist system because of its power differentials (Lilly et al., 2011, p. 168). They assumed that the ruling class is essentially oppressive, and that they benefit from limiting access to and distribution of resources to the lower classes (Lilly et al., 2011, p. 168). Cowling (2011) explained Marx and Engel’s concept of historical materialism, which views society as composed of an economic base and an ideological and political superstructure that the economic base controlled (p. 66). The law has the role of hastening the development of the economic base, thereby serving the interests of the upper class (Cowling, 2011, p. 66). Empirically, leftist realism’s impact on conflict theory is limited. Cowling (2011) noted that leftist realism has some bearing on criminology, though some of its concepts are too vague to be applied in real life contemporary settings. He explained that “lumpenproletariat is foggy” because Charles Murray’s idea of the underclass is questionable too (Cowling, 2011, p. 61). Murray asserted that because of over-generosity in social welfare of the United States and Britain, they have created a class of “idle thieving bastards” (Cowling, 2011, p. 61). Cowling (2011) did not think that vilifying criminals provided any meaningful analysis to criminology (p. 61). Furthermore, Cowling (2011) noted that the theory of alienation can help explain some aspects of crime, but its vague dimensions cannot always be empirically studied (p. 61). Cowling (2011) asserted that capitalism has shown strong connections with some types of crimes, although capitalism is more of a contingent factor, than a necessary condition or cause of crime itself (p. 65). To understand left realism’s contribution to conflict theory, this section describes its applications to The Wild and Wonderful Whites. Francis M. Curnutte, a defense attorney, expressed his analysis of the socio-economic conditions of West Virginia that show materialist conditions. He described West Virginia as similar to Africa, where European nations go to and exploit the natural resources, and then they “take all the wealth and leave” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). In other words, he depicted the economic conditions of the Whites as repressive. As a result, they feel anger and dissatisfaction in their lives that have no other ways of being expressed productively, except through violence and criminal activities. Mamie White was asked about her father, D. Ray, who was a coal miner, who might have felt oppression from his hard work, while coal company owners got rich from stealing people’s resources. Mamie asserted that if the rich can steal and get away with it, they can also do what they want and get away with it (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Her sentiments indicate that her criminality is a sign of rebellion against the capitalistic society that marginalizes them economically, socially, and politically. Marx’s theory of alienation helps to understand the feelings of hopelessness of the majority of the Whites regarding their individual and collective conditions in life. Alienation theory states that because of capitalism, people are alienated from their labor and their human nature (Cowling, 2011, p. 61). They then become more focused on their economic life than living moral lives (Cowling, 2011, p. 61). Jesco White is a good example of someone who feels strongly alienated from his labor. Mamie described Jesco’s dramatic mood shifts, where one minute he smiles at a person, and the next minute, he can shoot and kill the same person (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Jesco admitted that he enjoys killing people because he “has nothing to lose” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). He added, “It’s like the dead killing the dead. I don’t feel really human but I know I am cause I am so famous…is this real? Or am I just carrying on?” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). His statements suggest that he no longer feels like a normal human being. It could be because of his popularity, as his friend Jay Hill claimed, or his early loss of a father figure, or both, and many more social and psychological factors. Either way, Jesco manifests a significant alienation, where he no longer finds meaning in his life. It is possible that because his father died without attaining socio-economic comforts, Jesco might have felt lost in his life too. Alienation creates feelings of lost identity and direction-less existence for these Whites. Next, is the criminological theory of Willem Bonger, who applied Marx and Engel’s conflict viewpoint on criminology. Bonger asserted that capitalism produces an unfavorable environment that molds criminality (Lilly et al., 2011, p.169). Like Marx and Engel, he argued that capitalism shapes strong differences between the rich and the poor, particularly, economic disparities, and these disparities formed conflicts between them (Lilly et al., 2011, p.169). Bonger’s main assumptions are: (1) People have no free will in being criminals because of the strong factors that shape criminality among the marginalized sectors of society (Van Bemmelen, 1955, p. 300), and (2) Capitalism formed a society of conflicts that resulted to egoism, where criminals no longer care about other people’s interests and the results of criminal actions (Lilly et al., 2011, p.169). Bonger asserted that egoism shapes the crimes of the rich and the poor that emphasize material needs and success (Lilly et al., 2011, p.169). The empirical status of Bonger’s conflict theory is somewhat strong, as some studies showed the correlation between capitalism and crime. Antonaccio and Tittle (2006) studied the relationship between economic conditions and national homicide levels. Their findings showed that the degree of capitalism was positively related to homicide incidence, wherein the more capitalistic a country was, the higher homicide rates are, and their explanation is that demoralization mediated capitalism and crime. In other words, they hypothesized that capitalism displaced some people or were not able to help people improve their socio-economic conditions, which might have unconsciously contributed to their violent behaviors. Ploeger (1997) showed that capitalism may provide jobs, but these jobs do not necessarily eliminate juvenile delinquency. In his study, he learned that there is a positive relationship between employment and other forms of substance abuse, such as drugs and alcoholism. These studies underscore that capitalism has dimensions that promote criminal behavior, specifically through the dynamics of an oppressive socio-economic system. Bonger’s conflict theory has applications in the case of the Whites. The Whites seem to have lost their sense of free will, as they surrendered to the social factors that control them. Brandon Poe White was in jail because of his attempted murder of Billy Hastings, Mamie’s boyfriend. They got into a fight where Billy said that he would bury Brandon like his father, and since the latter’s father just died, he became angry and violent afterwards (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Billy said that Brandon shot him three times, in the chin, neck, and shoulder (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Brandon thought he killed Billy, and he could not even remember why he did it (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). He did remember that after his father died, he was depressed enough to go on a “rampage” of addiction and violent, criminal activities (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). The analysis of Brandon’s case is that he had become helpless to his conditions. His society shapes him like clay, and he can barely fight back. All he knows is his violent emotions and behaviors that seek to preserve his ego (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). In this case, Bonger is right to say that capitalism has created egoistic people who no longer care about their future. They are focused on their present emotions and needs. Several more testimonials expose the egoism and hopelessness that comes from a capitalistic society. Curnutte, a defense attorney, stated that the Whites have nothing else to live for in Boone County. He said: “They don’t expect a lot from life. They live for the immediate. Here you’re just waiting for everything to get worse and everything to end. It’s sad” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). He is aware of the dead-end life that is in Boone County, especially given the limited economic opportunities in West Virginia. Poney White knew this also, so he left Boone County to start a new and better life. Virginia, Poney’s daughter, has already finished nursing school. She said that in Boone County, no one would hire a White because of their last name (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). She said that people hated the Whites because they knew that most Whites stole from them and will steal again (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Jerry, Poney’s son, stressed that it is better for them to live in Minnesota because, in Boone, he would have been dead by now from hanging out with the wrong people or from a drug overdose (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Jerry added that teachers in Boone County would call him “dirty trash” or “dirty white” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Poney’s nephew, Little Man, narrated that many Whites in Boone County are raised to steal from people. Young kids even robbed him, and he stressed: “They started young down there” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Stealing and doing criminal activities for money and fame are symptoms of egoism and hopelessness. Criminal Whites are egoistic enough to think they can get away with their crimes, yet they feel hopeless enough to accept that their criminality is not something they can control or need to change. Another conflict theory came from Edwin H. Sutherland, who offered his differential association theory, which is a kind of conflict theory. He asserted that society has internal conflicts because of clashing cultural beliefs and practices (Lilly et al., 2011, p. 170). He assumed that criminals learn their illegal behaviors from their environment and that even corporations are akin to criminals in how they take advantage of consumers and workers (Lilly et al., 2011, p. 170). Sutherland further argued that capitalism has a culture of crime also (Lilly et al., 2011, p. 170). This culture comes from people developing criminal behaviors through interacting with other criminals at a young age (Laub, 2006, p. 238). Social networks can establish and reinforce crime across a criminal’s life span (Laub, 2006, p. 238). The empirical standing of Sutherland’s conflict theory has brought about mixed findings. Lo, Kim, and Church (2005) tested Sutherland’s differential association theory, where people become delinquent because of their environment. They learned that exposure to delinquency can increase delinquent behaviors for suburban youths more than urban and rural groups. Smangs (2010) supported Sutherland’s theory that social networks where crime persists breed criminal behaviors. Laub (2006), however, questioned Sutherland for not accepting studies that showed that criminals have individual differences and that criminality can decrease throughout time (p. 239). These studies indicate that social networks alone cannot explain and predict criminality. Sutherland’s conflict theory has some relevance to the lives of the Whites. In particular, there is a cultural clash in Boone County between traditional and liberal thinkers of crime. Captain Randall White from Boone County’s Sheriff’s Department said that the Whites “don’t want to conform to any authority, no rules, and all they got to do is to bust, fight, and party” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). He claimed that they have dealt with the Whites more than they have any other family in the criminal system (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Curnutte, a defense attorney, differentiated the Whites to some degree, “Some of them are good, some of them are entertaining, and a whole lot of them are just trouble and dangerous” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Others saw the Whites as a mix of good and bad. Peter Hendricks, defense attorney, noted that the Whites are not entirely evil, “The Whites, they have that kind of charisma…if they can draw you in, they can keep you in” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). He stressed that the Whites may not be educated, but they are “clever” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Hank Williams III, musician, expressed admiration for the White’s sense of free will: “Even though they may be the most hated family, they are probably the most free, and they are the true rebels of the south” (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). These statements show that people are different on how they see the Whites and their crimes. Some of them see them as entertaining, but dangerous; others somewhat suggest that the Whites are not entirely to blame because the society has its flaws that affected the White’s behaviors. Sutherland’s theory has bearing on the social network and conflicts in the White’s lives. The Whites have a social network that promotes and celebrates drug addiction and violence, as well as other criminal activities. Bo and her children, Kirk and Derek, are all drug addicts. Mamie tries drugs too, as well as their relatives, Jesco and Sue Bob. They are not even embarrassed of telling viewers about their favorite drugs and identifying the kinds of drugs they use. They are an example of a family that breeds drug addiction through modeling it for their kids. Furthermore, violence is a part of the White’s life. Dirk admitted that blood baths turned him on (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Jesco was not ashamed to talk about his violent moods and behaviors (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). In addition, the Whites are not afraid to break laws. Kirk, daughter of Bo White, for instance, stabbed Jessie for sleeping with another woman. Bo White cleaned the blood and hid the knife, so Kirk got away with what she did (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Jesco also talked about the places he robbed in his community and that he did not get caught many times (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Finally, the Whites do not have any structure in disciplining their children. Bertie’s children were smoking dope and crack in her house for her birthday, but she no longer stopped them from doing so (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). The parents were also not good role models for their young children. Kirk talked about her violent practices in front of her young son, Tylor. The film then showed Tylor in his violent antics, where he wrestled with his toy as if he was killing it (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). When Tylor also showed two dirty fingers to his mother because he said he hated Dennis for hitting his mother, Kirk did not say anything (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). The culture of violence and crime is in the family that the parents pass on their children. The final part of the paper will express the author’s opinion. These conflict theories partially explain the Whites’ criminality through showing the impact of capitalism and culture on their criminal behaviors, but it cannot explain individual factors in criminal differences. On the one hand, capitalism has affected the thinking of the Whites about their lives and society, Cowling (2011) stressed that capitalism can create oppressive conditions that can alienate people (p. 61). Some of the Whites then think that they can do what they want, since the rich can also do what they want, as Mamie stressed during one of the interviews (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Cultural clashes can also have an effect on individual behaviors as Bonger showed (Van Bemmelen, 1955, p. 300). A culture that glorifies crime or does not provide responses to the main roots of crimes cannot resolve it (Lilly et al., 2011, p.170). Hendricks complained that no media is following a Boone County boy with an MIT degree, and yet the media kept on following the Whites (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). He questioned the glorification of criminality in American society. Indeed, the Whites are not at all embarrassed for their crimes. Instead, they flaunt it with their revelations of their crimes (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Kirk and Jesco confirmed that they loved fighting and hurting people (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Still, Curnutte did note that the socio-economic conditions of West Virginia may be a precondition of crime because of economic exploitation (Doering & Nitzberg, 2009). Criminality has its social roots too, which the Whites showed. However, critical theories cannot explain individual factors in criminal and non-criminal differences. For example, Brandon felt remorse in killing a man. He did not feel proud at all. He realized how much hurt he gave to his family and his face showed real concern and worry for them. He is not like Jesco, who seemed to have become mad in his violent sprees in the past and looked like he was proud of his violent actions. Critical theories also cannot explain how Poney left a life of crime. He went to Minnesota to start a new life and never looked back. Even Kirk left Boone County to be a new woman. These are examples of how social networks do not always produce criminal mindsets in the long run. Laub (2006) already showed the weaknesses of social network theory because not all criminals stay criminals in the same degree throughout their lives and some people also leave criminality behind (p. 236). Some of the Whites wanted to escape who they were, so they exerted the free will to fight these social forces that oppress them. Hence, conflict theories are limited in explaining individual differences among the Whites, but they do help explain some of the roots and effects of capitalism and culture on their criminal behaviors. References Antonaccio, O., & Tittle, C. (2006). A cross-national test of Bonger's Theory of Criminality and Economic Conditions. American Society of Criminology, 2006 Annual Meeting. Retrieved from SocINDEX with Full Text. Cowling , M. (2011). Can Marxism make sense of crime? Global Discourse, 2(2), 59- 74. Retrieved from SocINDEX with Full Text. Doering, K. (Producer), & Nitzberg, J. (Director). (2009). The wild and wonderful Whites of West Virginia [Motion Picture]. United States: Tribeca Film. Laub, J.H. (2006). Edwin H. Sutherland and the Michael-Adler report: Searching for the soul of criminology seventy years later. Criminology: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 44(2), 235-257. Retrieved from PsycINFO. Lilly, J.R., Cullen, F.T., & Ball, R.A. (2011). Criminological theory: Context and consequences (5th ed.). SAGE. ISBN-13: 978-1-4129-8145-3. Lo, C., Kim, Y.S., & Church, W.T. (2005). An examination of differential association theory with different social contexts: Urban, suburban, and rural areas. American Society of Criminology, 2005 Annual Meeting, Toronto. Retrieved from SocINDEX with Full Text. Ploeger, M. (1997). Youth employment and delinquency: Reconsidering a problematic relationship. Criminology, 35(4), 659-675. Retrieved from Legal Source. Smangs, M. (2010). Delinquency, social skills and the structure of peer relations: Assessing criminological theories by social network theory. Social Forces (Project Muse), 89(2), 609-631. Retrieved from E-Journals. Van Bemmelen, J.M. (1955). Willem Adriaan Bonger (1876-1940). Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology & Police Science, 46(3), 293-302. Retrieved from E-Journals. Read More