Race in America
By Rick Adamson
8.24.14
© 2014 Rick Adamson
The sad state of racial affairs is that there is a war on young black men in this Country. The rate of imprisonment for young black men is higher than average. In many parts of society there is fear of young black men which results in discrimination. Many in the black community feel victimized by society and do not trust the authorities. These are the facts.
Here are a few more facts. The war on young black men is perpetuated by other young black men. Homicide is the No. 1 cause of death for black males 15-34, and 91 percent of black murder victims are killed by other blacks. The fear that many people feel, which results in suspicion and discrimination, is due to the criminal activity of young black men. More young black men are stopped by police because of the criminal activity of young black men. It is not a personal thing when the police stop a black person, it is a percentage thing. The odds are, because of the criminal activity of young black men, the person the police are after is in that vehicle. It is not a fair thing but the odds support the activity.
The incarceration rates of young black men are higher than average because of the criminal activity of young black men. Note that black men commit nearly half of all murders in this country, which is astounding when you take into consideration the fact that they only make up 12-13 per cent of the population. Yes, some are being shot by police but more whites are shot and killed than Blacks. On a percentage basis, more black men are involved in shootings with the police, but it that not expected when you take into consideration the role that the black population plays in crime?
I feel sorry for the innocents who encounter discrimination. However, they are associated with a group that commits a disproportionate proportion of crimes in this country and, through no fault of their own, are caught up in the vicious cycle.
In order to correct this problem we must reduce the criminal activity of young black men. If this could be accomplished, the feeling of being unfairly imprisoned, discriminated against and victimized would be greatly reduced.
Increased positive participation in community affairs and voting would increase the influence of the community leaders and lessen the feeling of victimization. Many folks who do not trust their elected and appointed officials do not bother to vote at election time. Does anyone really believe that these officials can be trusted to care for the needs of the Citizens without those needs being made known through an election? Effort is required because the problem will not fix itself. Does anyone think the rest of society will feel real empathy for these communities until its members stand up and participate?
In 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told a congregation "Do you know that Negroes are 10 percent of the population of St. Louis and are responsible for 58% of its crimes? We've got to face that. And we've got to do something about our moral standards." He also said "We know that there are many things wrong in the white world, but there are many things wrong in the black world, too. We can't keep on blaming the white man. There are things we must do for ourselves." (1)
Any candid debate on race and criminality in this country would have to start with the fact that blacks commit an astoundingly disproportionate number of crimes. African-Americans constitute about 13% of the U.S. population, yet between 1976 and 2005 blacks committed more than half of all murders in the U.S. The black arrest rate for most offenses—including robbery, aggravated assault and property crimes—is typically two to three times their representation in the population. (2 )
I have heard it said that the high arrest rate of black men is due to discrimination and not crime rates. Hog wash. That is just more of the victim mentality coming through. It is due to the criminal activity of young black men and there have been studies that prove it.
Not much has changed between 1961 and now with respect to violence in the black community. This should give the race baiters and community organizers something to work on. Stop preaching victimization and the same old theories that have not worked. Start teaching people how to improve their lot in life rather than being dependents of the State. Teach personal responsibility and self reliance. Listen to Dr. Ben Carson, Jason Riley and Bill Cosby. Emphasize the importance of education and getting involved in political issues within the community.
Stop the violence and stop the discrimination.
See the post entitled "Ferguson".
Notes (1) and (2): http://online.wsj.com/…/SB100014241278873233945045786081825…
And That’s that!
