(The Editor’s Note: This editorial was originally published on July 9, 2020 in MemphisTV’s editorial section.)
White-collar crime, crime committed by persons who, often by virtue of their occupations, exploit social, economic, or technological power for personal or corporate gain according to the definiton of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. It is said that the term, coined in 1939 by the American criminologist Edwin Sutherland, drew attention to the typical attire of the perpetrators, who were generally businesspeople, high-ranking professionals, and politicians.
According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, in 2014, the city of Memphis ranked eleventh in violent crimes for major cities around the U.S. In 2006, Memphis led the nation in number of violent crimes. In 2001, 2005, and 2007, Memphis ranked second most dangerous in the nation among cities with a population over 500,000. It also ranked as most dangerous in 2002. There are approximately 182 gangs in Memphis, Tennessee with 8,400 gang members in the county.
When people think about or talk about the crimes in Memphis, TN, they tend to think or mention mostly about physical violence or visible crimes here in this community including, but not limited to assault, robbery, larceny, carjacking, homicide, gun violence, and so on. But the danger of white-collar crime is much more serious, more dangerous, more destructive, more vicious, crueller, nastier, more disgusting, and more anti-human than visible crimes.
They say that the traditional white-collar crimes involve embezzlement, bribery, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, antitrust violations, tax crimes, regulatory violations, price collusion, false statements, falsifying reports, unfair and deceptive practices, perjury and so forth. Later they broaden the scope of white-collar crime to health-care fraud, intellectual property crimes, computer crime or cybercrime. The use of deceit, concealment and the breach of trust is the distinct characteristics of white-collar crimes.
It’s time that the Memphians should think about the horrible consequences of danger which white-collar criminals can bring to the local community. The consequences don’t end up pursuing such criminals’ financial gain but can bring frustration, despair, hopelessness to the citizens and indivisuals in the community. They can even destroy innocent people’s lives through very merciless, brutal, cunning, heinous, destructive, or cold-blooded ways.
Human history didn’t experience the World War 3 yet. But maybe the Memphians may have to see or face the 3rd war between the righteous, courageous, and compassionate citizens and the wicked, inhumane, and heartless white-collar criminals. It’s time this local community shine a flashlight on the white-collar crimes.
The Editorial of the Memphis Times
Published: July 9, 2020