After a long hiatus, I’m back. Recently, I read a book review that got me hot and bothered.
Why Tackling Urban Violence Should Be First on America’s Domestic Agenda
TCR: You point to ample research suggesting that violence is clustered around “sticky” people, places, and things. You argue that we should focus not on those things specifically, but on the violent behaviors that flow from them. Can you elaborate?
Abt: I use the framing of people, places, and things because it is easy for people to quickly understand. That said, in terms of policy, when talking about people, I am referring to social networks of the highest-risk potential perpetrators and victims. By places, I am referring to micro-concentrations of crime known as hot spots. And by things, I am referring to certain behaviors that are closely associated with violence.
That sounds similar to the “broken window” theory. Another way to isolated and criminalize people who live in poverty. Focus on identifying “potential high-risk perpetrators” instead of the circumstances that brought them to that point. What do you think?
More later…
Welcome back, Angela! It’s awesome that you’re back to the blogging world with new articles.
Going back to the subject at hand, you make a great point about how poverty is demonized and especially when they color code it. If people are so hot and bothered about “doing something” about low-income areas or whatever potential crime that might happen, then they should check out so many suburbs and/or wealthy towns if there are any potential school/mass shooters out there. Oh wait, they won’t do that because they don’t want to profile families that look like them.
Hey Curtis, Thank you! I wetting my toes before jumping in.
The author narrowed the definition of violent crimes to include only gangs, no domestic violence or mass shootings. Tell me this is not another war on people of color. It is seen as a novel approach but it’s the same shit in a different package.
No problem, Angela. It’s a good start to get back into the blogging world.
That’s definitely what it comes across from the sample you posted on there. Gangs aren’t the only dangerous things let alone the most violent in the country; they just get vilified more often. This is propaganda at it’s greatest.
This author focused on ”gangs.” That term is dog whistle politics to support racism against POC.
Absolutely. That’s an obvious dog whistle especially in this context. The author surely isn’t talking about the mobsters or WST gangs, that’s for sure.
Curtis, what bothers me most is that “The Crime Report” is a news service that is widely read and respect among professionals connected with the criminal system. They use this convoluted BS to make laws and downplay the arbitrary justice of structural racism so vital to the status quo.
Yes, and I agree with you. Facts and numbers get skewed however they want while making excuses for certain offenders over others all because of systemic racism.
The consequences of systemic racism are now considered “normal accidents.” Meaning they are acceptable and so imprisoning innocent kids after forcing confessions is acceptable in the criminal system.
That’s just one way for them to not holding themselves accountable. The powers that shouldn’t be stay on code when it comes to those matters.
Welcome back!! The website is so colorful!! As far as crime Black people are not criminals by default but rather in the despair of the neighborhood. That’s why Black on Black crime is a farce.
Hi Wealthymims,
Is it too colorful? I wanted the site to reflect my culture. I know I should stick to ”conservative” colors but I’m far from conservative. And I’m not part of the prevailing culture, not when it matters. I’m included only as a scapegoat to shirk blame from those responsible to those who have no choice but to make do.
Yes you are right. Black on Black crime are crimes induced and kept alive by the prevailing culture.
We as Black people can NEVER be too colorful. It’s very soothing to look at and interact on. Remember, we are the originators set the trends that everyone to duplicate.
So true. I know white kids who act “black” to be cool yet scorn black people. What a hypocrital culture!
That’s why we need to leave the sickos alone, once and forever, Ase”!!!
Happy to see you back!
Thanks Xena. How are you doing?