Urban Freedom Magazine Fall2016 "The New Black Wall St" Vol1 | Page 8
Writers Block
The Voice Of
The People
Excuse or Conspiracy: Black on Black crime
By: Michelle Reed
Are we a product of our history or do we fall into the criteria of stereo types? Black on black
crime consistently sparks modern debates about race issues in the United States. It's a used
as a rebuttal when pro-back advocates argue that racism still exists today. But what is black
one black crime?
Origin
Black on Black crime is a phrase that began in the late 1960s, used when black people
commit crimes (violent) against other black people. People say its high percentage is what
causes the deterioration of the African American Community. Despite the higher
percentage of black people in college and/or working, the media only shows black on
black crimes. In that same breath, media ignores white people not only being historically
the most violent, but also that 84% of white people murdered in the U.S. today are murdered
by other white people. That doesn't include the percentage of “white on white” drug use
and distribution. No one ever questions why.
Psychologically Inferior
During slavery, Africans endured immeasurable torment and brutality. One form of violence
in particular, was making slave men ght one another for white amusement and prot. In
the slave memoirs of John Finnely, he recollects times where slave owners would match their
slaves by size betting on who would win. A ghter named Tom, who was always triumphant
in his matches, even contemplated trying to run away to freedom because he began to
enjoy ghting. The men would receive adoration from owners for their “accomplishments”
and it was a stroke of the ego, which was a brighter step from abuse and emasculation.
Along with the in depth tactics of Jim crow etiquette, it was centuries of enforcing mental
instability upon the Black community.
The modern slave
After years of inferiority the “assets” of white people are dangled in front of the black man,
making him believe that to t in society these are the things he must obtain, but cant. The
system and corporate world are against blacks. Even when it comes to jobs and homes, the
survival instincts often convince them the lavish life is worth obtaining by any means
necessary. But history tells us we are too inferior for the corporate world. So the mentality of
the gang life can be appealing to anyone placed in this society.
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