Study: Black-on-black homicides rising among teens

BOSTON — Black teenagers are killing each other in rising numbers but the troubling trend has been masked by a falling crime rate in the United States, according to a study released Monday by Northeastern University.

FBI crime statistics show overall decreases in murder and other violent crimes. But a report by criminal justice professors James Alan Fox and Marc Swatt uncovers other disturbing trends within that data.

Among their findings: an increase of more than 39 percent in the number of black males between the ages of 14 and 17 killed between 2000 and 2007, and an increase of 34 percent in the number of blacks that age group who committed homicide.

The increases for white male teens age 14-17 during that same period were nearly 17 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

"We can't ignore the fact that hidden within the overall good news on crime, is very bad news for a segment of the population _ young black males _ and that needs our attention," Fox said.

The report also noted guns were overwhelmingly the weapon of choice for young black offenders and are now used in nearly 85 percent of homicides they commit.

The Rev. Jeffrey Brown, executive director of the anti-crime Ten Point Coalition in Boston, said the spike in fatal shootings by and on black youths "bears out what I see on the streets every day."

"The victim and perpetrators of gun crimes are getting younger and younger," he added.

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Fox called for an infusion of government money to beef up police and restore mentor, sports, after-school and summer programs that withered as federal funds were redirected from cities to homeland security after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

"We need to invest much more in the lives of these kids," Fox said. "I know there's lots of people who say times are tough and we don't have the money, but we either pay for these programs now or pray for the victims later because crime doesn't wait until the economy improves."

Brown said that families and the community groups, particularly churches, also need to do more to help solve the problem.

Recent crimes statistics show a drop in overall crime and murder rates between 2006 and 2007, the most recent year that data were available.

The numbers represent a vast improvement over those from the 1990s when the emergence of crack cocaine fueled an explosion in violence, the Northeastern report said. In 1993, about 225 out of every 100,000 blacks age 14-17 committed homicide compared with 81 out of 100,000 in 2007.

But that's an increase from the year 2000, when the number was 66 out of every 100,000 blacks.

"When you stop paying attention to it, when you stop working at it, the problems can and do rebound," Fox said.

Comments

[baldblackman]

Russtyles, I wish I could belive you but from where I stand it looks like Blacks are stuck in a downward sprial. We have lost most of our high paying jobs that don't required an advanced degree, and too many Blacks are unwilling to work at either obtaining the skills or working their way up the ladder. Everyday when I ride public transit I hear Black kids dowplaying the need for an education and taking pride in how many fights they have been in, or the number of times they have been expelled from school. There hasn't been a day when I haven't seen at least one Black teenage smoking weed early in the morning.
We need to end this culture of violence and ignorence (yes it exists in White society but we are takling about Black cutlure).

[RusStyles]

baldblackman:

I understand your despair--I feel it too. What we're witnessing today is the natural ebb and flow of cultural breakdown and subsequent build-up. Look at the Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Scots, and too many others to mention. They all had their respective day in the sun..

Black culture as we know it today, will be subsumed into a hybrid culture; similar--in fact--to the Obamas. They possess both conservative (mainstream) values, but have retained their ebony flavor, some of which will be absorbed/copied by the dominant culture. You must remember, viewing this situation through a larger time continuum, we're talking an eyeblink since our folk were released from bondage with nothing but the clothes ontheir backs. In a frightful society where they could be hung for looking the wrong way. And reallly had nary any other option tha to become indenrtured servants--defacto slavery. We're experiencing the growing pains associated with cultural change; simlar to the problems you see in Russia.

Now, I didn't say we's be around to see this change...But, it will happen.

[Curdleberg]

I'm heartened to see the comments on this entry...it seems that victim.hood is over and self-reflection and responsibility are now accepted as the answers. No more blaming others, it's now about looking in the mirror and ask what you are doing wrong. I think the Jesse Jackson age is over and the Obama age is here for good.

[dct1999]

Black people have always had these opinions. It's a shame that you actually believe your comment is based on reality.

[Curdleberg]

Oh really, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton never had credibility in the black community?

[Ted LPD]

Can we think out of the box here!
The lack of fathers and male leadership are two ways of framing the issue but not the complete picture. What about the lack of mothers? These are the conventional ways of problem definition and solving - we focus on what has been and not what could be if we think out of the box. We have an opportunity to make change through new concepts, paradigms that have never before used to define the black males. Let’s use the old Cartesian theory of deconstructionism and use holism to reconstruct. These would bring all the facets into focus for problem solving.

We have social problems and institutional problems as well. Our laws are skewed to have more blacks in jail. Yes, to have more blacks in jail.

Role models are in jail…a culture of the revolving door. Home-prison-home, and with a record means no jobs leading to high crimes.

[anikaofori]

as black woman- i wrote a paper in 2007 "creating alternative systems". the black female professor gave me a "b"! bc my thesis as- 2 many blacks are trying 2 fit in2 a system that never intended 2 include us instead of creating alternative systems that will nourish our community.
now i realize it is not "pc" 2 make these assertions and it offends those who have made it in2 mainstream but growing up middle class and now living in many ghettos in many city, states- i can say this thru observation>poverty in africa is different bc it has not defined their self. they still remain proud 2 be african (black). yet it seems here we blacks run from the label of african and in some cases being black.
dignity will not come thru education or even relieving poverty but thru self-awareness! we could learn by observing other immigrants, they become successful by "cooperative economics", "unity", "self-determination", "collective work and responsibility", "purpose", "creativity" and "FAITH". whoops- those principles already exist in a little ideal called KWANZAA!
and by the way so many complain about the crime in the ghettos but i think its an equal crime 4 the upper class blacks 2 deny their being as well.
as james brown said- i'm black and i'm proud (the good and the bad bc thats all we all are-both!)

[Ted LPD]

This is the fight we must win. Stop B on B crimes by giving ladders of opportunity.

[Btline]

The lack of fathers and male leadership in the Black community is the problem. Obama was right. Black men need to stop making babies they walk away from and be good fathers and role models. We can no longer blame "the white man" or the government. When 67% of the babies in the Black community are born out of wedlock and supported via public assistance; when sexual promiscuity is idealized by rap music and the real-life actions of Black athletes from today and yesterday (too many of the young and older Black pro athletes to mention here); and Black politicians (Jesse Jackson and others); the glamorization of having children out of wedlock by white movie stars; and young Black women in the community who do not take responsibility for using birth control and taking care of their bodies - the issue of fatherless children will continue to escalate. These children cling to gangs and guns. Black men need to stand up and instead of a million man march on Washington they need to be marching in their own communities and committing to the children that they are creating.

[Ted LPD]

The lack of fathers and male leadership are two ways of framing the issue but not the complete picture. What about the lack of mothers? These are the conventional ways of problem definition and solving - we focus on what has been and not what could be if we think out of the box. We have an opportunity to make change through new concepts, paradigms that have never before used to define the black males. Let’s use the old Cartesian theory of deconstructionism and use holism to reconstruct. These would bring all the facets into focus for problem solving.

We have social problems and institutional problems as well. Our laws are skewed to have more blacks in jail. Yes, to have more blacks in jail.

Role models are in jail – a culture of the revolving door. Home-prison-home, and with a record means no jobs leading to high crimes.

[Poboy]

Listen up, Black men.

This society is out to destroy you.

You have to FIGHT to be born.

You have to FIGHT to breathe.

You have to FIGHT to be educated.

You have to FIGHT to get health care.

You have to FIGHT to get work.

You have to FIGHT to find mates.

You have to FIGHT to raise families.

You have to FIGHT to live long lives.

You have to FIGHT to retire in some comfort.

You have to FIGHT to die in dignity.

You fight through your whole lives in a society that is totally HOSTILE to you.

This started in slavery, and it has not stopped.

This is a direct result of the actions of White people.

Direct your hostility toward them, and not at yourselves, because they are the reason for your plight.

[overcat]

Pour energy into hostility instead of constructive activity? Fight fight fight.

[MagisterLudi]

Two young B-ist monks arguing. Finally, they stop another old monk:" Please, help us solve our argument. I say that this wind makes the flag move up there on the pole. Other monk says it's the flag moving with the wind. Which is it?"
Old monk looked at them:" You, young ones. It is your minds that are moving!"

[Poboy]

Now, relate this to what I'm saying.

[MagisterLudi]

When the finger points at the moon, a person with limited intelligence looks at the finger.

[Lemmy]

Yeah - that fightin' strategy is working real good so far.

[Nikola Tesla]

Or go to school.

[ShyShea]

Most of these type of stories seem to do is paint an entire racial group with one broad brush and allow the self-righteous b igots a forum to say "I told you so". All crime is an issue that needs to be appropriately addressed. When a white male shoots up a school, mall or social group...or molests kids...I don't see any articles about the issues of white males in society. That person is treated as an individual with issues who leaves people wondering what went wrong. But when a black male commits a crime...all or most black people are somehow held accountable as if the black community is one entity. Pointing fingers and crying what "group" is the worst is not going to solve anything.

[Bostongirl1]

Being black and from Boston it hits home. My cousin was killed over the fourth of July weekend - drive by with no suspects. He was only 19 preparing to go to college - not a druggie or gang banger but he hung out with the wrong type of 'friends' . It's a shame that simple disputes have to end in death theses days

[sherardg]

I wonder why the Huffington Post will not publish my post.? I tried twice.

[Lilly06]

Its probably pending.

[sherardg]

No, I posted my comment yesterday. It not a derogatory posting, just a straight up analysis from my experience as a black man growing up in urban Philadelphia.

[sherardg]

As a black inter city guy from Philadelphia now living in DC I have read all your comments and this is what I feel "happened" in my observation particularly in the cities.
(1) Welfare - You could not get welfare with a Father in the house. So there goes the Father figure.
(2) Mothers and Fathers had to work - leaving more and more latch key children. (this is common in all racial communities).
(3) No neighbors to look after the children.
(4) Children raising children - women raising young men.
(5) Unwed mothers are common these days.

[Lilly06]

I've read the comments and understand the frustration but lets face it, too many black women are raising boys to be men by themselves. This leaves a huge gap in terms of the positive male role models these kids can look up to. Ownership as a parent is important but nothing is more effective to a growing young man than, 'I'm going to tell your daddy when he gets home' (assuming daddy is a good one). Too many young boys don't get that. Their dads are no where to be found or in prison.

The solution is more important than the problem so I guess my first solution is for black women to enpower their young boys by getting them 'mentors' from a young age. Not someone they only see in the weekend but someone they feel they can talk to. This is the responsibility of the parent.

The responsibility of society as a whole is to realise that like it or not, a 17 year old murderer is a product of parenting and his environment. The loss of potential each year by just disregarding these kids and sending them to jail for long lenghts of time or life is also wrong. We need to still see these kids as America's investment.

Rehabilitation programs: Compulsory attendance of high school/college with punishment for non performance or non attendance. Drill sergents and mentors to shape a new understanding of how to man up without resorting to guns. Tough love basically.

[ceasenake]

It is very racially insensative to bring up black on black crime and murder without mentioning the fact that the white man has oppressed the black man for so long that this is the natural result of that oppression.

[Lilly06]

please expand because I don't get your point.

[sherardg]

As a black inter city guy from Philadelphia now living in DC I have read all your comments and this is what I feel "happened" in my observation particulary in the cities.

(1) Welfare - You could not get welfare with a Father in the house. So there goes the Father figure.
(2) Mothers and Fathers had to work - leaving more and more latch key children. (this is common in all racial communities).
(3) No neighbors to look after the children.
(4) Children raising children - women raising young men.
(5) Unwed mothers are common these days.
(6) More and more men in jail.
(7) Drugs - I see a lot of killing over drugs. IA guy sells another guy bogus crack. They kill in retaliation.
(8) No music or arts in the shools leading to kids knowing nothing but Rap Music which tends to focus of getting things fast but not showing how to get these things - leading to theft, leading to jail.
(9) A peer pressure in school to not succeed. Education is not hip.
(10) Prison mentality. They ware their pains down on their hips like prisoners. Prisoners were not allowed to ware belts so their pants hand down.
(11) Not business experience - I see this on the bus, they will read the sports page on the bus and throw away the business section.
(12) Public housing - how can you learn if you live with the same minded people?

[ReHoover51]

the system is built just for this result ... unfortuately nobody cares, but sometimes you just have to say f*ck it and do the right thing ...

[overcat]

There is no inherent racial insensitivity in discussion of black on black crime. If a black person shoots another black person, you feel the need to talk about how bad white people are? I guess you're really not interested in stopping violence.

[SinisterK9]

Barack Obama is the incoming POTUS. Condeleeza Rice and Colin Powell have both served as Secretary of State, and before that Colin Powell was a 4 star General in the Army, a national security advisor, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Thurgood Marshall, and Clarence Thomas have served in the Supreme Court. I could go on, but what would be the point.
Successful people tend to make things happen for themselves.

[robXdion]

You obviously don't understand the deeper dynamics of Thurgood Marshall achieving because he was so lightskinned he helped whites feel more comfortable and was a safe token black for them psychologically. Or the fact that Colin Powell's climb involved covering up a war crime in Vietnam and kowtowing to Reagan like a good house pet. Or that Condi Rice and many other black women thrive in part largely because their femininity is less threatening to whites and can be used as an asset while black males are feared. There is soooooooo much you don't know about rac.ial dynamics is just better for you to stop and get off that ignorant soap box and go read a book. I suggest authors like Dyson, Wise, West, etc, etc.

[Lemmy]

Sure - we wouldn't want to hold the black teens responsible. Of course it's not thier fault.

[dct1999]

There is no excuse for this. Don't blame the schools, don't blame r.a.c.i.s.m., don't blame the police, don't blame anyone except the perpatrators and their parents.

I'm a black man who by choice continues to live in Harlem where I grew up. My nephew was k.i.l.l.e.d in a case of mistaken identity. He got off an elevator and was s.h.o.t three times. A 17 year old was arrested, he told police that he thought my nephew was a kid that he had an ongoing problem with.

So my nephew, who was going to visit his friend, ends up d.e.a.d because this monster thinks it's OK to terminate someone's life simply because they had a beef. At his arraingment his mother said "they didn't have to tell on my son". She offered no expression of regret or sympathy to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. This woman belongs in jail with her son.

Ignoring the problem, sugar coating the problem, or denying the problem = the wrong approach.

[ReHoover51]

its rap music ...

[Rydog255]

Actually it is bad parenting or lack of parents, but hardcore rap definetely doesn't help. By the way you have this dumbest most hate filled bio I have ever read. It is neither clever or edgy it is just plain stupid. Christianity has its problems and I am no Christian, but attacking a belief system that is pretty postive in its true form makes you look ignorant.

[ReHoover51]

i'd rather be "judged" ignorant ... there is a mass delusion concerning the christians.
the foundation of murder, molestation, child abuse, etc is something that you folk just over-look ...
try over-looking my point of view or my profile ... it wasnt written for you and it is totally meant to piss oof christians to the point that they see thier insanity

[4Quarters]

Remember...we are less than 50 years from the influx of discrimination from the ku klux klan. Those that wore robs at night and were in control in the Dept of Education. Responsible for segregation.
If kids have kids then the kid is the parent of the kid...who teaches who if education starts at home. When > 50% of the kids are raised in an uneducated, underprivledge negative environment then those that perform the worse crimes get rewarded. The teachers become the criminals that have accepted their lives as nothing more than a criminal. Kids learn from what they see, the cycle cannot be broken until positive exposure to a better way of thinking exist outside of their communities.
My private schooling until middle school, then public. I learned in 3rd grade private sch What was taught in public school 7th grade.in d early 80's. Im sure it is worse now.
White kids only have to understand their surroundings and deal with possible negativity at home or at school, but do not have to worry about being discriminated by your own people, other races at school, work, the store, the police dept with racial profiling, and the justice system. The negatives surrounding a black kid is far greater...not saying white kids don't experience the same treatment. It is just more than what meets the eye.Kids make no guns, don't control the educational system that they attend...so they don't think they have control over their lives.

[AlP]

Stop blaming everyone else. The black community cannot continue to blame anyone but themselves. Millions upon millions of people have been discriminated against. Blacks were segregated in the North.

They need to get their act together and stop this nonsense. Kids everywhere are overwhelmingly worse off today.

[113]

Stop blaming the black community...confront the racist past in this country and stop hiding behind "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" ideology.

[MagisterLudi]

"The negatives surrounding a black kid is far greater."

That's right. And the focal point is the family and peers:. by teaching kids to refuse to take personal responsibility for failures; by brainwashing the kids to think of themselves as victims, bu the constant anti-white talk at the dinner table; by obsessively neurotic preoccupation with ever real or perceived slight. By exposure to ceaseless anti-white, anti-asian anti-hispanic narrative from musicians, comedians,writers church pulpits and local and national civic leaders. How is it possible to be exposed to all this and succeed.?
The failure start in the mind and it is THE source of it.

Yes, there is racism, but ALL races are exposed to degrees of it.
How do you defeat it?
#1-- STOP obsessing over it. Start your OWN businesses in your OWN communities.If Koreans and Hindu can do it, so can YOU! Get an education--community colleges are almost free. There are loans and grants available. Organize neighborhood watches to defeat crime. Use affirmative action to get into good colleges.
Take an example from Jews, Asians, Armenians and HIndu immigrants.
They have succeeded beyond anyone's wildest imagination.
Look at Chinese communities! Full of businesses, working hard, children study hard. I sincerely hope African Americans can do the same. Why not African American community!!! It's in the mind!
OK. Now lets excuses fly. Avanti.

[ReHoover51]

so, with this in mind, how many years do black on black murders get a moratorium?