Unfortunately, arrest photographs seem almost always to show the person photographed looking angry, bewildered, and stupid, not to mention looking like they're intoxicated or using serious illegal drugs! And they always seem to look like they smell bad!
Here's an example from Florida to illustrate my point:
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=a9&Date=20120825&Category=crime03&ArtNo=208250801&Ref=ph&Item=0&odyssey=mod|mostpopphotos
Now I know that Florida is five-star when it comes to weirdness; only California comes close. But I must say that arrest photographs is one of those areas in which the glaring inequality of opportunity is so evident. In a modern, liberal, tolerant society, we must be more sensitive to this sort of problem.
Why is it that some highly affluent and well-connected individuals appear neat and composed in their mug shots, while the less well off look so rough? I think that we would go some ways on our path of ensuring social equality in our society if we would make hair styling, a makeover, and possibly cosmetic surgery an entitlement. Actually, this not a far-fetched notion. Psychological research has shown that beautiful offenders tend to be quantitatively punished less severely than their homlier fellow offendees. This is stark inequality, to say the least! Think of what an improvement in self-esteem would follow, if our government would make this a right enjoyed by all arrestees.
Fashion and Hair Styling Equality: Its time has come!
You make a good argument there. Looking bad means less justice. Looking great equals lenience.
ReplyDeleteParis Hilton got off really easy, remember?
Lookism in law enforcement?
ReplyDeleteI like they way they list a homeless persons address - 0 Homeless.
ReplyDeleteExcellent logic. Good lawyer get their clients to spruce up for court appearances to counteract those bad impressions. It's hard to do if they have gross facial or neck tattoos, though.
ReplyDeleteIn a somewhat related vein, I noted years ago that there's an annual issue of the Naval Institute Proceedings (magazine) that has a photo gallery of the most senior active duty Navy Admirals and Marine Corps Generals. Each year, the photos are all the same: every Navy Admiral is smiling; every Marine General is scowling ... wearing what George Patton used to call the "war face."
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