ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of several core themes that help best understand the history, nature, and scope of “Shopping While Black” (also referred to as consumer racial profiling). The chapter begins with a discussion of the Plessy v. Ferguson case that sanctioned racial segregation in public spaces and also led to the “separate but equal” doctrine. Following this case, there were a host of retail entities that denied Blacks equal, or in some cases, any service in retail establishments. Several of the movements to fight these discriminatory practices are discussed. The chapter also discusses the “Black thief stereotype” and its historical roots in American slavery. The chapter continues with an introductory review of the history of shoplifting as well as a review of the existing literature on racial profiling in retail settings. The chapter closes with a discussion speculating which criminological theories might best explain the use of consumer racial profiling.
