Why report the descent of a person when committing a crime?

[donemeover]

I totally understand if the perpetrator is not yet found why their race or descent might be crucial to solve the crime and identify a person.

But why is reporting the descent and race of a criminal even mentioned by the media? It serves no purpose to the crime itself.

I'm referring to the murder of the MP, every other newspaper mentions the murderer is of Somali descent. Why?

It's very tragic the MP has been killed, but I can't help notice this is an example of how racism is so entrained in society that these subtle ways of reporting just normalise it.

Sad on both counts, the racial reporting and the murder itself.

It’s reported as part of the basic details about the person; name, age and where from. They will say the country and often, if British, whereabouts in Britain.

If he were British they’d report that.

I don’t agree it’s racist.

They always say the age as well. Is that ageist do you think? Genuine question.

If anything you are showing prejudice as you have called the person a criminal. Steady on; he has only just been charged.

They're saying 'of Somali descent' in order to avoid saying 'Black'. You should try growing up in the 80's. Times have moved on.

@eastegg

It’s reported as part of the basic details about the person; name, age and where from. They will say the country and often, if British, whereabouts in Britain.

If he were British they’d report that.

I don’t agree it’s racist.

They always say the age as well. Is that ageist do you think? Genuine question.

Hmmm they did describe him as British then how he is Somali descent.

Do they do that with quite people? No. They don't say Italian descent or Irish descent - when the person is a British citizen. It's weird

Is it a hint at the origins of the terrorism driving the lone wolf behaviour?

@Leafyhouse

They're saying 'of Somali descent' in order to avoid saying 'Black'. You should try growing up in the 80's. Times have moved on.

There is not issue with describing someone as black.

But why is it even a thing? We can see from the photo he is black anyway.

I just feel it's another way of othering

They did say he was British but added "of Somali descent".
I thought the same OP and wondered if they would ever say "of Polish descent or Italian descent" when talking about other British citizens who are if the same race...?

@eastegg yes the age of a criminal is irrelevant to the crime unless you're trying to find the person who has not yet been found as the criminal.

@eastegg the suspect is British.

@eastegg but also, there isn't a stereotype of age and crime so it isn't the same thing.

There IS a stereotype that black and brown people commit crimes. Because they don't report in such away, about someone's descent who is white.

And therefore highlight it does nothing to help stop these stupid stereotypes being handed around.

@sayhellotothelittlefella

They did say he was British but added "of Somali descent". I thought the same OP and wondered if they would ever say "of Polish descent or Italian descent" when talking about other British citizens who are if the same race...?

Thank you, exactly this

Was Joe cox’s murderer described as white or white British? I think he was but I can’t remember 100%

Ah my mistake, you’re absolutely right that they have said British of Somali descent; it’s late, apologies.

You may have a bit of a point. But let’s face it; if they didn’t say he was of Somali descent, those inclined to think racist thoughts, shame on them, are going to do it when they see his picture which the media obviously publish at the first opportunity.

They usually don't. For example, in my area we often have reports of drug dealers being caught and charged, and the news media only say 'from Smalltown', when it's pretty obvious from the name that they're Albanian.

In the case of the person who has today been charged with the murder of David Amess, the fact that he is of Somali descent is relevant to the case. The murder of a member of parliament is highly likely to be a political act. The alleged terrorist had already been flagged to Prevent for Islamist extremism. His motivation for this act is very likely to be linked to his religion and background. If he was of Italian descent it wouldn't make any sense - we haven't had numerous terrorist attacks in the UK by Italian-Catholics.

It's just these little things I constantly see in society that isolated may not be a big deal to many but they are constant.

And these constant subliminal messages are what contribute to the 'subtle' racism people of colour are constantly up against. It's tiring.

@GreenTeaPingPong it's not relevant though.

Why isn't the descent of a white person ever reported on? Because it's irrelevant.

Most peadophiles are white men / they dot. Start tracing back their descent? Ever.

It's another way of saying the person isn't 'true British'. It's subtle racist.

It really only happens for non white people. Very rare to hear anyone had a French father or Belgium mother.

And yes it matters.

I think over thinking is a massive issue

I think that's an easy thing to say if you are not affected by the issue at hand.

It might be relevant though, Where he was trained and radicalised etc. A persons background will be of interest to intelligence agencies.

Agreed.
In the same vein, if it were a British athlete who won Olympic Gold for example they'd report him as British - they wouldn't report him/her as a British athletes of Somali decent winning gold.

But when it comes to criminality and its a black or brown person, despite being British their ethnicity has to also be mentioned....

@stairway it"s not his background though, it's his father's background. And this isnt about what the intelligence agencies know, it's about how stuff is reported in the press. I'd hope the intelligence services have sources beyond the Hate Mail.

[quote donemeover]@GreenTeaPingPong it's not relevant though.

Why isn't the descent of a white person ever reported on? Because it's irrelevant.

Most peadophiles are white men / they dot. Start tracing back their descent? Ever.

It's another way of saying the person isn't 'true British'. It's subtle racist. [/quote]
But in the vast majority of crime reporting in this country, they don't report on a person's descent, including BAME people. In this case they did, because it's a terrorist act. This is the second thread on this exact same issue and I think you've noticed it because actually it's unusual. If it had been a domestic violence murder of a woman by her BAME husband, most news media would NOT report the perpetrator's descent.

I agree OP. Taking this murder case away for one minute - because I know people will use it as a reason to misunderstanding you - many white British people are of french/greek/polish/swede, etc descent but it's rarely mentioned. Hell, the Queen is of German/Danish descent. A black person wouldn't be able to live their descent down and just be called British/Black British, especially if they step out of line.

If they've done something great, then they're British/Black British.

Porcupineintherough, I think when terrorist acts occur they always mention race/background though.