Dearest friends,
How Black-on-Black Crime Talk Is Misdirection By Opponents of Justice
Are you tired of hearing about Black-on-Black crime every time there is a discussion about racism and police brutality? Do you wonder why this angle is always brought up, and why people seem to use it as an excuse not to talk about the real issue?
Black-on-Black crime is a term used to describe the phenomenon of African Americans committing crimes against other African Americans. It is often used by opponents of racial justice to justify the actions of law enforcement officers who use excessive force against Black people. They argue that if Black people would stop committing crimes against each other, police officers wouldn’t have to use force against them.
This argument is flawed in many ways. First of all, it ignores the fact that crime is not exclusive to one race. People from all racial backgrounds commit crimes against each other. The difference is that when a white person commits a crime, it is not attributed to their race. However, when a Black person commits a crime, it is often seen as a reflection of their race as a whole.
Furthermore, the argument ignores the fact that Black-on-Black crime is a result of systemic inequality and poverty, which are themselves the result of racist policies. As author Ta-Nehisi Coates puts it:
“The killers of black people are largely black themselves. This is true in the United States, in Canada, in the Caribbean, and in South Africa. But the fact that killers of black people are mostly black does not tell us very much at all—certainly not anything that justifies police militarization.”
Instead of using Black-on-Black crime as a scapegoat, we should be addressing the root causes of crime and inequality. This means investing in education, job training, and affordable housing in Black communities. It means addressing police brutality and reimagining public safety.
The Health Consequences of Racism and Inequality
The consequences of systemic racism and inequality go far beyond the criminal justice system. They affect all aspects of society, including healthcare. Studies have shown that Black people are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, which are often the result of poverty, stress, and poor living conditions.
Black women are also more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and are more likely to die from these complications. This disparity is not due to genetic differences, but rather to the social determinants of health, such as poverty and lack of access to healthcare.
It is clear that racism and inequality have a profound impact on the health and well-being of Black people. The COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted these disparities, as Black people are more likely to contract and die from the disease than any other racial group.
What Can We Do?
So what can we do to address these disparities and promote health equity? First and foremost, we must listen to and amplify the voices of Black people. They are the experts on their own experiences, and their insights and perspectives are invaluable in shaping policies and programs that are effective and equitable.
We must also advocate for policies and programs that address the root causes of inequality, such as affordable housing, quality education, and access to healthcare. We must support Black-owned businesses and work to eliminate discriminatory practices in hiring and promotion.
Finally, we must acknowledge and address our own biases and prejudices. We all have them, whether we realize it or not. It is only by confronting them and actively working to overcome them that we can create a more just and equitable world.
In conclusion, Black-on-Black crime is a misdirection by opponents of justice, and we must not allow it to distract us from the real issues of systemic racism and inequality. We must work together to address these issues and promote health equity for all.
