Date: 12/14/2012
Name: Donnell Hicks
Title: Stop the Urban Community Violence
Crime and violence is evident around the world and here in America. Crime and violence in the urban inner cities throughout America has been the focal point for local and state government officials to combat and somewhat a focal point for the federal government to get involved. Little do these government officials know, youth who are involved with gangs, dealing with record high unemployment, and less socioeconomic opportunities have spawned a plague in the African-American communities nationwide in the worse way possible.
There are so many important factors one can say that will lead to high violence within urban communities, particularly upon black youth that range from ages 12-17 years old. A common example is the child who is raised in a single parent household where there’s no positive male role model in his life, media violence, rap music, high unemployment, less education, hanging out with delinquent peers, and drug activities. There was once a moment in time when children played outside all day and all night long without any gun violence happening. Now, children cannot play outside at parks or in the backyard of their homes, because they’re more prone to be in the line of fire.
A couple of years ago in Miami, a sweet, innocent six year old girl named Sherdavia Jenkins was shot and killed by a stray bullet while playing outside her home in the inner city known as “Liberty City.” Sherdavia Jenkins was caught between two rival gang members who had hatred towards one another. The grim news shocked local officials to do all they could to stop the violence in the streets. We same the same reaction for many other African-American youth who have lost their life, caught in the line of fire.
Clearly, violence has become a national epidemic as well as a major public issue. Homicide rates soar where unemployment rate is high, a poor educational infrastructure exists, and when there’s a pure lack of social connectedness. Homicide continues to be a major cause of death amongst urban cities. It is evident among young black men the homicide rate is 29.3 and 2.5 for white young men. The symptoms of violent crime African-American youths are:
-Loss of temper
-Frequent physical violence
-Significant vandalism
-Detailed plans to commit violence
-Announcing threats for hurting others
(Source: www.aachae.org)
According to the Urban Newsletter and the Heritage Foundation, homelessness, violent crime, unequal access to quality schools, and a shortage of affordable housing plague urban cities throughout America. The following is a list of violent cities where youth reside:
-Baltimore, Maryland
-Brooklyn, New York
-Chicago, Illinois
-Detroit, Michigan
-Los Angeles, California
-New Orleans, Louisiana
-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and
-Washington, D.C.
Based on eight community studies, “a 15 year old urban black male faces a possibility every day of being murdered before his 45th birthday”. (urban.org and heritage.com)
Still to this very day, violence in the African-Americans community is extremely high. It is a daunting reality that must be solved immediately on all levels. Local, state, and federal government officials needs to step in and help lower the crime rate in these urban cities listed above by giving urban youth more adequate jobs, better schools, and more socioeconomic chances to develop their talents.
“Nothing can be done unless; we raise our voices as one.”~ Michael Jackson
Name: Donnell Hicks
Title: Stop the Urban Community Violence
Crime and violence is evident around the world and here in America. Crime and violence in the urban inner cities throughout America has been the focal point for local and state government officials to combat and somewhat a focal point for the federal government to get involved. Little do these government officials know, youth who are involved with gangs, dealing with record high unemployment, and less socioeconomic opportunities have spawned a plague in the African-American communities nationwide in the worse way possible.
There are so many important factors one can say that will lead to high violence within urban communities, particularly upon black youth that range from ages 12-17 years old. A common example is the child who is raised in a single parent household where there’s no positive male role model in his life, media violence, rap music, high unemployment, less education, hanging out with delinquent peers, and drug activities. There was once a moment in time when children played outside all day and all night long without any gun violence happening. Now, children cannot play outside at parks or in the backyard of their homes, because they’re more prone to be in the line of fire.
A couple of years ago in Miami, a sweet, innocent six year old girl named Sherdavia Jenkins was shot and killed by a stray bullet while playing outside her home in the inner city known as “Liberty City.” Sherdavia Jenkins was caught between two rival gang members who had hatred towards one another. The grim news shocked local officials to do all they could to stop the violence in the streets. We same the same reaction for many other African-American youth who have lost their life, caught in the line of fire.
Clearly, violence has become a national epidemic as well as a major public issue. Homicide rates soar where unemployment rate is high, a poor educational infrastructure exists, and when there’s a pure lack of social connectedness. Homicide continues to be a major cause of death amongst urban cities. It is evident among young black men the homicide rate is 29.3 and 2.5 for white young men. The symptoms of violent crime African-American youths are:
-Loss of temper
-Frequent physical violence
-Significant vandalism
-Detailed plans to commit violence
-Announcing threats for hurting others
(Source: www.aachae.org)
According to the Urban Newsletter and the Heritage Foundation, homelessness, violent crime, unequal access to quality schools, and a shortage of affordable housing plague urban cities throughout America. The following is a list of violent cities where youth reside:
-Baltimore, Maryland
-Brooklyn, New York
-Chicago, Illinois
-Detroit, Michigan
-Los Angeles, California
-New Orleans, Louisiana
-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and
-Washington, D.C.
Based on eight community studies, “a 15 year old urban black male faces a possibility every day of being murdered before his 45th birthday”. (urban.org and heritage.com)
Still to this very day, violence in the African-Americans community is extremely high. It is a daunting reality that must be solved immediately on all levels. Local, state, and federal government officials needs to step in and help lower the crime rate in these urban cities listed above by giving urban youth more adequate jobs, better schools, and more socioeconomic chances to develop their talents.
“Nothing can be done unless; we raise our voices as one.”~ Michael Jackson
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