An argument for including W.E.B. DuBois in the criminology/criminal justice literature

W.E.B. DuBois, renowned African American scholar of the late 19th and early 20th century, made significant contributions to the history and study of African Americans. Although he is not identified as a criminologist, many of his writings included discussions about crime. This paper will discuss some of DuBois's early works relevant to criminal justice/criminology. Although his works preceded mainstream (white male) writings, a sample of criminal justice/criminology texts reveals that they are rarely cited or discussed. This author believes that DuBois's works should be included in most criminal justice/criminology texts. Like other early African American scholars, DuBois has not yet been recognized widely by the field of criminal justice/criminology.