Well, that assumes she’s still alive, cares about the quirks of her former students, and, frankly, remembers me at all.
Let me take you back a few decades. Grade eight typing class was one of my numerous academic struggles. My thirteen-year-old hands just wouldn’t cooperate with the commands my brain sent them. I can still picture the look of disdain on my typing teacher’s face as I sheepishly handed in my assignments.
I felt I was doomed to a life of hand-written notes, letters, and term papers, Fast forward ten years, and typing became a significant part of my daily routine.
Not surprisingly, this blog is one of the many activities that put those typing skills to good use.
Every discipline has a number of foundational books, corrections is no different, and most experts studying jails, prisons, etc. have a list of their favorite works. Thus, I figured that the time was ripe to share mine more widely. Not only would I typically share this list with my graduate students, but I might give this list to give people I communicate with behind bars who are interested in this sort of thing. P.S. This post generated a handful of suggestions from other scholars.
On January 7, 2023 Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old unarmed African-American man was stopped by Memphis police officers, who were part of the controversial SCORPION tactical squad, and beaten to death. This incident, like so many similar ones in recent years would have been quickly ignored, but the fact that this model of aggressive policing had, in recent years, been criticized because of its inability to produce results, the violence it engaged in, and legal suits raised not just moral and ethical questions, but called into question the way that contemporary policing was being conducted in some jurisdictions in the United States. It appeared that police were simply going through the motions, rarely test their actions, and that police are not strategic.
Life, and more specifically careers and creative work are full of conscious and unconscious choices, and some are better than others. Creatives, entrepreneurs, etc. are often advised to choose projects that appear easy to accomplish. But equally important is the reality that the return on investment with these endeavors are sometimes not really worth the actual investment of resources (esp. time). The blog post attempts to explore the vicissitudes of this issue.
Since starting the blog, I have written a few posts about books and movies that I believe are interesting and pivotal. I thought it would be prudent to write one on one about the most important books that motivated me to pursue my masters degree. Not only did Why Men Rebel prompt me to consider and start graduate school, but I purposely sought out to work with Gurr, and can legitimately say that he was one of my first academic mentors. Not only is Why Men Rebel, a highly cited book, but it kicked off his career, and those of many scholars focusing on conflict studies.
Graffiti and Street Art are pervasive in most urban locations, and it appears as if almost everyone has an opinion on whether they like it and who and why they do it. But few people question their assumptions surrounding their opinions on this subject. One of the most significant opinions about graffiti and street art revolves around the meaning and purpose of this act of vandalism. This post tries to dissect the often romantic perspective that graffiti and street art are primarily acts of rebellion, protest or resistance. The reality is that there are lots of different types of graffiti and street and practitioners too, and to make broad sweeping generalizations about why people engage in this activity is foolhardy to say the least.
One of the recurrent questions prospective job candidates for academic jobs in Criminology/Criminal Justice and junior criminologists face is should they collaborate on research with or for a local criminal justice agency. This post explores both the advantages and disadvantages of this type of decision.
Another issue concerns using the information gleaned from formal instruction in the field of Criminology/Criminal Justice to assist one in malicious behavior. On December 30 2022, a graduate student in the doctoral program in Criminology at Washington State University, was charged with murder of four Idaho State University students. Not only do these types of sorts of stories titillate the public imagination, but frequenly force certain members of the public to ask just what people learn in the typical criminology/criminal justice curriculum.
In trying to navigate the complicated nature of most trades and professions one of the questions is should you join a professional organization, which one is best, and what are the costs and benefits of doing so? This post applies this question to the subject area of Criminology/Criminal Justice.
Earning a Ph.D. is a resource intensive endeavor, but how do you make the best choice and minimize risk in choosing what to study and where?. Thus, one of the logical questions, particularly if you live in the part of the country, or a country where a PhD in Criminology/Criminal Justice does not exist, is what are the potential cost-benefit calculations you might confront if you decide to persue doctoral studies in an allied field?
Similar to the post that looked at graffiti and street art as resistance, this one considered whether this type of vandalism is done to further social justice issues. The short answer is some of it is, and some of it does not. The post tries to identify the contexts where we see graffiti and street art more prominently throughout the urban landscape as a commentary on social justice issues.
Wrapping Up
In closing, I want to express my sincere gratitude to my family, friends, and colleagues who have generously provided constructive feedback on selected draft posts before publication. Heartfelt appreciation also goes out to all my readers, particularly those who have taken the time to respond, share suggestions, and contribute their valuable experiences related to the topics I’ve explored.
Your ongoing engagement and support have been instrumental in shaping the direction of this blog.
Thank you for being a vital part of this community, and here’s to another year of growth and shared experiences.
As I look ahead to 2024, I hope to maintain the same level of productivity and creativity as I did in 2023. I’m dedicated to delivering content that is compelling, thought-provoking, and occasionally evoke genuine moments of laughter throughout the journey.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Kiran Foster
Title: Typing
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/5760476367_77ce16bf12_c.jpg600800Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-12-30 06:22:502023-12-30 06:22:50Would my eighth-grade typing teacher be proud of me now?
Although we could examine why users don’t pay their way on to public transportation systems, I think it’s more helpful to look at the police side of the equation.
While it’s possible that the officers could be doing law enforcement related work on their phones, the recurrent nature of this behavior, and other contextual factors, raises doubts.
Challenges Faced by Police
Indeed, there are rationale reasons why officers in these situations are on their phones and/or fail or are reluctant to intervene. To begin with, standing around all day, watching people go through turnstiles and answering mundane questions when approached by members of the public can be excruciatingly boring and checking one’s phone can break the monotony.
More germane however, is that since the 1970s the efficacy of police patrol to achieve “common sense” goals (e.g., capture criminals, deter crime, and reduce citizen fear and create feelings of safety) has been called into question. Also, the so-called Ferguson Effect, and calls to defund the police, have made law enforcement a more embattled profession. Moreover, numerous heavily criticized cases of police arresting (and injuring) young, disproportionately African-American, persons who have failed to pay fares have garnered considerable negative public attention.
Impact on Public Perception
But what are law abiding citizens to make of police hanging around Metro/subway stations, checking their phones, and not intervening? Although some users may feel better having officers physically present in subway stations, regardless of them checking their phones, (or huddling together, talking with each other), the most logical assumption is that police don’t care. More importantly, is just a bad use of public safety resources and can contribute to the negative perceptions of police.
And assuming that their supervisors are unaware of this type of police behavior would be naïve to say the least.
A Call for Change
Instead of having officers passively monitor metro/subway stations, a more proactive approach is needed. I’m not suggesting that law enforcement agencies need to crack down on fare evaders, nor we should enter into a situation of overpolicing, like we witnessed in jurisdictions like New York City, with the decade plus (2002-2013) long disastrous experience with “Stop and Frisk.”
Police departments, on the other hand, need to collaborate with city authorities and transit system, to thoroughly explore innovative, creative, and nonconfrontational solutions to address fare evasion. And if this is being done already, then the police and the news media need to draw attention to this collaboration.
Police departments should also actively dialogue with affected communities, and seek input on appropriate strategies. Implementing community policing initiatives, where officers build trust through positive interactions, might also help to reshape perceptions and encourage public cooperation.
Specific recommendations are essential. Doing nothing or accepting business as usual in the case of policing and public safety, regardless of how minor the crime, isn’t helpful for the public, nor the police.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Joe Shlabotnik
Title: Policemen At West 4th Station
They weren’t in costume. They were actual policemen.
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/288622141_2283db4b99_w.jpg301400Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-12-24 11:57:532024-02-04 04:26:51“Hang up and Police?”
In most Western Advanced Industrialized countries, the prevailing advice for securing a comfortable income and satisfying career is pretty straightforward: not only should you specialize in a well-paying high demand profession, but excel in your job.
Although there are multiple paths to achieve this state of affairs, it typically means graduating from a respected school, (including earning certification, degree or licensure), receiving appropriate training, and working for good company.
For many people this formula works well. But for others this approach comes with numerous often unacknowledged or unanticipated downsides. These include massive amounts of student debt, long hours performing mind numbing and sole crushing tasks, in toxic work environments, and the reward as it often turns out is simply the paycheck and little else.
Individuals respond to this situation in a variety of ways. Some start to numb the discomfort with alcohol, drugs, or retail therapy, while others exercise on a regular basis, go on vacations, contemplate or engage in constant job and career switching, etc.
More recently some people have been advised to periodically get out of their lane.
What does getting out of one’s lane mean?
Getting out of one’s lane is an expression that refers to situations when someone gives their opinions or pursues activities outside of their usual area of expertise or knowledge.
It also means stepping outside of one’s usual role or comfort zone.
We have all seen, experienced, and perhaps engaged in the first type of activity. From the drunk at the end of the bar, to your obnoxious uncle that your family felt obligated to invite over to Thanksgiving dinner. There are lots of people we have met or know who fit this description. It might even be us. But that is not the subject that I want to focus on.
I’m more concerned with prosocial activities and situations that people can engage in with a minimum amount of resource expenditure. This might include trying a new type of food or cuisine, style of clothing, short educational course, hobby, place to travel to, etc. In sum, changing one’s lane in this context refers to trying something out of the ordinary, an activity or pursuit that you don’t normally do.
What does temporarily getting out of one’s lane NOT mean?
To begin with getting out of one’s lane does not mean waking up tomorrow and quitting your job, abandoning your obligations, or being a dilatant. This approach is also not a simply a palliative to getting unstuck or getting out of depression, although it might have this kind of secondary benefit. But getting out of one’s lane can provide a number of tangible benefits.
Why is getting out of one’s lane important?
There are several reasons why stepping out of one’s lane is important and advantageous.
This includes but is not limited to:
an antidote to boredom.
making people who pursue these interests appear to be more interesting to others
the possibility of a new job or career path,
exposure to new ideas and perspectives, fostering innovation and creativity.
facilitating a way to learn new things and possibly grow emotionally.
learn more effective problem-solving techniques.
expanding your network and opening up opportunities for collaboration.
learning to become more adaptable
Why are people reluctant to get out of their lane?
There re numerous reasons why people hesitate to get out of their lane.
Some of the more important ones are:
insufficient resources
Western society’s promotion of idea of career hyper specialization,
laziness
lack of natural curiosity
fear of not being taken seriously in ones primary career
anxiety about being called or labeled a dilettante
fear of the unknown.
The bigger challenge
For some people getting out of their lanes may be relatively easy, but I suspect that many, if not most individuals, have lots of rational sounding reasons why they should remain doing the same thing day in day out.
Having said all this, I believe that getting out of your lane basically comes down to taking small calculated risks, experimenting, and to be rational about this whole process. This includes writing things down somewhere in a place that you can refer back to. This may be solved by creating a file on your computer that you can easily access, or designating a notebook that you can keep handy on your book shelf or desk, that you can jot notes down in. In the meantime, there are lots of good books, youtube videos, podcasts and workshops that deal in whole or in part with this subject, worthy of exploration.
The time to start is now.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Nikkorz
Title: the rush 36/365
The traffic in the Bay Area usually sucks, despite the number of lanes the typical highway has here.
https://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/5449400370_bee4a91907_c.jpg297800Jeffrey Ian Rosshttps://jeffreyianross.com/wp-content/uploads/jeffrey-ian-ross-logo-04.pngJeffrey Ian Ross2023-12-17 17:29:422023-12-18 04:46:16Consider getting out of your lane
Would my eighth-grade typing teacher be proud of me now?
/by Jeffrey Ian RossWell, that assumes she’s still alive, cares about the quirks of her former students, and, frankly, remembers me at all.
Let me take you back a few decades. Grade eight typing class was one of my numerous academic struggles. My thirteen-year-old hands just wouldn’t cooperate with the commands my brain sent them. I can still picture the look of disdain on my typing teacher’s face as I sheepishly handed in my assignments.
I felt I was doomed to a life of hand-written notes, letters, and term papers, Fast forward ten years, and typing became a significant part of my daily routine.
Not surprisingly, this blog is one of the many activities that put those typing skills to good use.
Since starting the blog, at the end of each calendar year, I provide a list, links, and brief description of the most popular blog posts I wrote over the past 365 days.
And I see no reason now to break with tradition. So here they are:
My top recommended nonfiction books in the field of corrections in the United States
Every discipline has a number of foundational books, corrections is no different, and most experts studying jails, prisons, etc. have a list of their favorite works. Thus, I figured that the time was ripe to share mine more widely. Not only would I typically share this list with my graduate students, but I might give this list to give people I communicate with behind bars who are interested in this sort of thing. P.S. This post generated a handful of suggestions from other scholars.
Tyre Nichols and the reality of police reform in the United States
On January 7, 2023 Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old unarmed African-American man was stopped by Memphis police officers, who were part of the controversial SCORPION tactical squad, and beaten to death. This incident, like so many similar ones in recent years would have been quickly ignored, but the fact that this model of aggressive policing had, in recent years, been criticized because of its inability to produce results, the violence it engaged in, and legal suits raised not just moral and ethical questions, but called into question the way that contemporary policing was being conducted in some jurisdictions in the United States. It appeared that police were simply going through the motions, rarely test their actions, and that police are not strategic.
Some low hanging fruit is just rotten
Life, and more specifically careers and creative work are full of conscious and unconscious choices, and some are better than others. Creatives, entrepreneurs, etc. are often advised to choose projects that appear easy to accomplish. But equally important is the reality that the return on investment with these endeavors are sometimes not really worth the actual investment of resources (esp. time). The blog post attempts to explore the vicissitudes of this issue.
On the importance of Ted Robert Gurr’s WHY MEN REBEL
Since starting the blog, I have written a few posts about books and movies that I believe are interesting and pivotal. I thought it would be prudent to write one on one about the most important books that motivated me to pursue my masters degree. Not only did Why Men Rebel prompt me to consider and start graduate school, but I purposely sought out to work with Gurr, and can legitimately say that he was one of my first academic mentors. Not only is Why Men Rebel, a highly cited book, but it kicked off his career, and those of many scholars focusing on conflict studies.
Questioning Graffiti and Street Art as acts of resistance
Graffiti and Street Art are pervasive in most urban locations, and it appears as if almost everyone has an opinion on whether they like it and who and why they do it. But few people question their assumptions surrounding their opinions on this subject. One of the most significant opinions about graffiti and street art revolves around the meaning and purpose of this act of vandalism. This post tries to dissect the often romantic perspective that graffiti and street art are primarily acts of rebellion, protest or resistance. The reality is that there are lots of different types of graffiti and street and practitioners too, and to make broad sweeping generalizations about why people engage in this activity is foolhardy to say the least.
Should Criminologists partner with local criminal justice agencies to conduct research?
One of the recurrent questions prospective job candidates for academic jobs in Criminology/Criminal Justice and junior criminologists face is should they collaborate on research with or for a local criminal justice agency. This post explores both the advantages and disadvantages of this type of decision.
Does earning a degree in Criminology/Criminal Justice allow someone to get away with murder?
Another issue concerns using the information gleaned from formal instruction in the field of Criminology/Criminal Justice to assist one in malicious behavior. On December 30 2022, a graduate student in the doctoral program in Criminology at Washington State University, was charged with murder of four Idaho State University students. Not only do these types of sorts of stories titillate the public imagination, but frequenly force certain members of the public to ask just what people learn in the typical criminology/criminal justice curriculum.
Should aspiring Criminologists join the prominent learned societies in their field of study?
In trying to navigate the complicated nature of most trades and professions one of the questions is should you join a professional organization, which one is best, and what are the costs and benefits of doing so? This post applies this question to the subject area of Criminology/Criminal Justice.
Should You Earn a PhD in Criminology/Criminal Justice or an Allied Field?
Earning a Ph.D. is a resource intensive endeavor, but how do you make the best choice and minimize risk in choosing what to study and where?. Thus, one of the logical questions, particularly if you live in the part of the country, or a country where a PhD in Criminology/Criminal Justice does not exist, is what are the potential cost-benefit calculations you might confront if you decide to persue doctoral studies in an allied field?
Exploring how graffiti and street art calls attention to social justice issues
Similar to the post that looked at graffiti and street art as resistance, this one considered whether this type of vandalism is done to further social justice issues. The short answer is some of it is, and some of it does not. The post tries to identify the contexts where we see graffiti and street art more prominently throughout the urban landscape as a commentary on social justice issues.
Wrapping Up
In closing, I want to express my sincere gratitude to my family, friends, and colleagues who have generously provided constructive feedback on selected draft posts before publication. Heartfelt appreciation also goes out to all my readers, particularly those who have taken the time to respond, share suggestions, and contribute their valuable experiences related to the topics I’ve explored.
Your ongoing engagement and support have been instrumental in shaping the direction of this blog.
Thank you for being a vital part of this community, and here’s to another year of growth and shared experiences.
As I look ahead to 2024, I hope to maintain the same level of productivity and creativity as I did in 2023. I’m dedicated to delivering content that is compelling, thought-provoking, and occasionally evoke genuine moments of laughter throughout the journey.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Kiran Foster
Title: Typing
“Hang up and Police?”
/by Jeffrey Ian RossOver the past few years police officers, largely transit, in many metro and subway stations are frequently seen seemingly engrossed in checking their smartphones and not intervening while patrons freely evade paying fares by jumping turnstiles.
Although we could examine why users don’t pay their way on to public transportation systems, I think it’s more helpful to look at the police side of the equation.
While it’s possible that the officers could be doing law enforcement related work on their phones, the recurrent nature of this behavior, and other contextual factors, raises doubts.
Challenges Faced by Police
Indeed, there are rationale reasons why officers in these situations are on their phones and/or fail or are reluctant to intervene. To begin with, standing around all day, watching people go through turnstiles and answering mundane questions when approached by members of the public can be excruciatingly boring and checking one’s phone can break the monotony.
More germane however, is that since the 1970s the efficacy of police patrol to achieve “common sense” goals (e.g., capture criminals, deter crime, and reduce citizen fear and create feelings of safety) has been called into question. Also, the so-called Ferguson Effect, and calls to defund the police, have made law enforcement a more embattled profession. Moreover, numerous heavily criticized cases of police arresting (and injuring) young, disproportionately African-American, persons who have failed to pay fares have garnered considerable negative public attention.
Impact on Public Perception
But what are law abiding citizens to make of police hanging around Metro/subway stations, checking their phones, and not intervening? Although some users may feel better having officers physically present in subway stations, regardless of them checking their phones, (or huddling together, talking with each other), the most logical assumption is that police don’t care. More importantly, is just a bad use of public safety resources and can contribute to the negative perceptions of police.
And assuming that their supervisors are unaware of this type of police behavior would be naïve to say the least.
A Call for Change
Instead of having officers passively monitor metro/subway stations, a more proactive approach is needed. I’m not suggesting that law enforcement agencies need to crack down on fare evaders, nor we should enter into a situation of overpolicing, like we witnessed in jurisdictions like New York City, with the decade plus (2002-2013) long disastrous experience with “Stop and Frisk.”
Police departments, on the other hand, need to collaborate with city authorities and transit system, to thoroughly explore innovative, creative, and nonconfrontational solutions to address fare evasion. And if this is being done already, then the police and the news media need to draw attention to this collaboration.
In addition to shifting tax expenditures to making all (or limited portions of a jurisdiction’s) public transportation free or during certain days and hours, transit systems might consider installing alternative turnstile designs to deter or prevent evasion.
Police departments should also actively dialogue with affected communities, and seek input on appropriate strategies. Implementing community policing initiatives, where officers build trust through positive interactions, might also help to reshape perceptions and encourage public cooperation.
Specific recommendations are essential. Doing nothing or accepting business as usual in the case of policing and public safety, regardless of how minor the crime, isn’t helpful for the public, nor the police.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Joe Shlabotnik
Title: Policemen At West 4th Station
They weren’t in costume. They were actual policemen.
Consider getting out of your lane
/by Jeffrey Ian RossIn most Western Advanced Industrialized countries, the prevailing advice for securing a comfortable income and satisfying career is pretty straightforward: not only should you specialize in a well-paying high demand profession, but excel in your job.
Although there are multiple paths to achieve this state of affairs, it typically means graduating from a respected school, (including earning certification, degree or licensure), receiving appropriate training, and working for good company.
For many people this formula works well. But for others this approach comes with numerous often unacknowledged or unanticipated downsides. These include massive amounts of student debt, long hours performing mind numbing and sole crushing tasks, in toxic work environments, and the reward as it often turns out is simply the paycheck and little else.
Individuals respond to this situation in a variety of ways. Some start to numb the discomfort with alcohol, drugs, or retail therapy, while others exercise on a regular basis, go on vacations, contemplate or engage in constant job and career switching, etc.
More recently some people have been advised to periodically get out of their lane.
What does getting out of one’s lane mean?
Getting out of one’s lane is an expression that refers to situations when someone gives their opinions or pursues activities outside of their usual area of expertise or knowledge.
It also means stepping outside of one’s usual role or comfort zone.
We have all seen, experienced, and perhaps engaged in the first type of activity. From the drunk at the end of the bar, to your obnoxious uncle that your family felt obligated to invite over to Thanksgiving dinner. There are lots of people we have met or know who fit this description. It might even be us. But that is not the subject that I want to focus on.
I’m more concerned with prosocial activities and situations that people can engage in with a minimum amount of resource expenditure. This might include trying a new type of food or cuisine, style of clothing, short educational course, hobby, place to travel to, etc. In sum, changing one’s lane in this context refers to trying something out of the ordinary, an activity or pursuit that you don’t normally do.
What does temporarily getting out of one’s lane NOT mean?
To begin with getting out of one’s lane does not mean waking up tomorrow and quitting your job, abandoning your obligations, or being a dilatant. This approach is also not a simply a palliative to getting unstuck or getting out of depression, although it might have this kind of secondary benefit. But getting out of one’s lane can provide a number of tangible benefits.
Why is getting out of one’s lane important?
There are several reasons why stepping out of one’s lane is important and advantageous.
This includes but is not limited to:
Why are people reluctant to get out of their lane?
There re numerous reasons why people hesitate to get out of their lane.
Some of the more important ones are:
The bigger challenge
For some people getting out of their lanes may be relatively easy, but I suspect that many, if not most individuals, have lots of rational sounding reasons why they should remain doing the same thing day in day out.
Having said all this, I believe that getting out of your lane basically comes down to taking small calculated risks, experimenting, and to be rational about this whole process. This includes writing things down somewhere in a place that you can refer back to. This may be solved by creating a file on your computer that you can easily access, or designating a notebook that you can keep handy on your book shelf or desk, that you can jot notes down in. In the meantime, there are lots of good books, youtube videos, podcasts and workshops that deal in whole or in part with this subject, worthy of exploration.
The time to start is now.
Photo Credit
Photographer: Nikkorz
Title: the rush 36/365
The traffic in the Bay Area usually sucks, despite the number of lanes the typical highway has here.