Black men are brutally murdered and systematically incarcerated. Is this genocide?
Death gives a shit about your color
But yet I see me dead young brothas
I’m going crazy out here
Seein 24 Brothas die by the end of the year
—Spice 1, “Welcome to the Ghetto”Being black in a culture that denigrates blackness is tough. —Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie
The Black Death
After a day of violence on the streets of Chicago, a mother of four whom had already lost three of her children to gun violence was informed that her remaining son had been shot to death. Meanwhile, four other individuals were killed on the same day as the homicide count in Chicago exceeds 500.
Often missing from news accounts is the fact that many of the deceased are African American males. More frightening, this trend is not unique to Chicago, but mirrors national statistics.
In their review of the literature, researchers Angela Hattery and Earl Smith reported that Black males, especially those between the ages of 18-24, represent the largest homicide victimization group at 91.1 per 100,000. Furthermore, the deaths of young Black males seldom sparks national outrage; at best, societal reaction to such news is met with ambivalence.
America’s infatuation with viewing African American men brutalized
I also feel that part of society’s seeming ambivalence towards the death of Black males is due to the role of Hollywood cinema and media. American culture is replete with cinematic images of Black men being brutalized and ultimately disposed. Consider the 1992 Oscar winning film “Unforgiven,” where Morgan Freeman’s character is beaten to death by the town sheriff played by Gene Hackman.
In a sense, African American men who are incarcerated are at risk for becoming “virtual non-citizens,” with limited ability to significantly affect society’s economic and political institutions.
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The movie “Training Day” starred A-list actor Denzel Washington as a crooked cop who was ultimately shot to death in one of the movie’s closing scenes. For his service, Washington was awarded with the most coveted award in Hollywood, an Oscar.
Fellow A-list actor Will Smith is yet to win an Oscar, however he has starred in several major blockbuster movies including “Seven Pounds” and “I Am Legend.” According to one movie review site, “I Am Legend” remains the highest grossing film in which Smith played the leading role. Both movies end with his death, an apparent suicide in the former, while he died protecting another character in the latter.
To be fair, Smith, Freeman and Washington have starred in high-earning movies in which the plot did not involve their eventual demise. Nevertheless, there appears to be trend, both in Hollywood and in mainstream media, of creating images of Black men being killed, tortured or beaten. Furthermore, it is my belief that such images desensitize the viewer to violence against Black men and significantly impacts our reaction to hearing about such violence.
Modern Genocide?
Angela Hattery and Earl Smith reported that African American men make up nearly 45% of the incarcerated population, with roughly one million Black men imprisoned. There are also sentence disparities along racial lines. When charged with an offense, Black males are more likely than White males to be imprisoned and receive longer and more severe sentences for the same crime.
Additionally, the consequences of such high rates of young Black males being imprisoned reverberate throughout the community. Many of these men are imprisoned at a time when they are most likely to contribute significantly to the financial sector and produce families of their own. Even upon release, they remain well behind their peers in lifetime earnings potential.
Furthermore, a racially profiled system seems intent on hurrying young African American males to their institutionalized fate as these individuals are more likely to be randomly searched and have force used against them by authorities.
Hattery and Smith equate penal system institutionalization to present-day genocide, in that both operate to eliminate individuals from society. Being incarcerated restricts and severely limits future opportunities for professional productivity. In a sense, African American men who are incarcerated are at risk for becoming “virtual non-citizens,” with limited ability to significantly affect society’s economic and political institutions.
Meanwhile, Caucasian Americans remain more likely to commit white collar crimes, which harm millions with job, insurance or pension loss. Despite the systematic impact of their crimes, it is my view that their offenses are met with less societal stigma.
Systematic Eradication?
Are the facts above sufficient to conclude that Black men are being systematically eradicated? Such a conclusion may be too much of an oversimplification, however, there is no question that widespread intervention remains critical. The problems described above have persisted for quite some time, and frankly, I’ve said very little that’s news. The more relevant question is, what are we going to do about it?
Attention must be paid to systematic oppression. Despite the recent re-election of a bi-racial president, racism remains a staple of American social politics. Such biases appear pervasive within American criminal justice system and more must be written, discussed and intervened upon in order to challenge the racial disparities existing among the prison population.
Criminal Justice Transformation
The legal system seems more intent on criminalization than rehabilitation. And this is true regardless of cultural background. This approach fails to prepare the individual for exiting the legal system therefore he emerges, at times more ill-equipped to demonstrate competence and with fewer of coping skills, as he had upon entering prison.
The so-called war on drugs has been an abysmal failure. Because of the bias existing, people of color suffer more of the casualties of the war on drugs, making it a matter of social justice to end this failed war. I think we need to take a serious look at the criminal justice system and what determines serious crimes and sentencing. The penitentiaries are overflowing with drug users and abusers; it is my belief that these individuals should receive rehabilitation services aimed at skill building and reducing addiction, as opposed to stuffing our jails with non-violent offenders.
Gun violence and the easy accessibility of guns have to be part of this narrative, and yet it’s fiction to think that tighter gun control legislation will create a utopia or significantly reduce the high numbers of Black men imprisoned.
Education
As clichéd as this may sound, more has to be done to assist the educational plight of young African American men as there are strong correlations between academic success in childhood and long term success and adjustment during adulthood. This includes promoting those programs that are already doing their part to reduce the dropout rates among African American males. Organization such as 100 Black Men and the Urban League are two of the most well known organizations committed to assisting the psycho-social efficacy of minority youth.
Yes, white supremacy should be confronted, as should the biases within the criminal and mental health systems. I also believe it is fair to state that a patriarchal society underlies each of these mechanisms as well. Nevertheless, change often comes from the ground up, and it is on that level where we must seek to understand what programs or approaches have and continue to be successful and how can we continue to implement such programs.
The Strength of Black Men
Black men are not disposable. We are collectively and individually growth oriented, resourceful, tenacious and precocious. This is why a history marred by white supremacy has failed to destroy the overall productivity of our community.
The psychologist in me believes that too often we are asking the wrong questions. Sometimes I think that when trying to understand how we can assist the plight of Black males, we’re asking the wrong question. Instead of strictly asking what are the problems which such individuals face en route to adulthood, we should also implement a more strength oriented approach that asks: What are the programs that are already working for Black youth?
Media and Racism
Finally, in reference to the media I should acknowledge that there are several films which promote healthy relationships and exploit the heterogeneity within the Black community. However, those films which perpetuate images of Black men under assault should be confronted and more critical analysis should be written on the impact of such images. Authors like Mark Anthony Neal, bell hooks, Michael Eric Dyson and Patricia Collins are a few of the researchers who have tackled this complex issue and have much to teach about harmful images of Black males.
There is no question that the negative images of Black males in the media, African American male homicide rate, and rates of Black male imprisonment must be confronted, and examples of Black men achieving academic, personal and professional success presented to counter the pervasive negative image of Black men. When we do so, we must ask: What resources assisted these individuals with productivity, and how can we utilize mechanisms already at work in order to assist the lives of other African American males?
Read more on The Disposability of Men on The Good Life.
Image credit: Kheel Center, Cornell University/Flickr
Tom B…Whats up? Damn man,sorry to hear about your injuries,keep movin’.
Joan…Hi Joan,how goes it? I’ve been busy working and writing and coaching-it’s the playoffs for O-High.I needed a break anyway.
I want to thank everyone who has spent time and energy responding to my article. I am going to attempt to respond to a few of the comments or what I feel are some of the major themes that have come out of the comments. As someone that both writes avidly as well as reads voraciously, my time is important and I find that an article has to have a significant impact on me to elicit a written response. It may be that I am very angry or frustrated by the content, or I am excited and satisfied with the… Read more »
Bill…What;s up, I hope you and yours are well. I want to clarify something about my theories on teaching masculinity and how I raised my sons. I don’t teach boy’s how to be men, I teach them how to be good people, which in my view is inclusive of being a good man. Following some hardcore formula makes little sense because life doesn’t follow the rules and once one wraps themselves in an identity that gets destroyed, there is chaos left. One day one may be working and the next, because of layoffs, may be at home raising the kids.… Read more »
Ogwriter, I have a question for you. Do you believe that there is going to become a positive turning point or that the male African American is leading the way to where all males societal and family structure will be in 20 to 50 years?
Rick…I might rephrase your point, in that African American men aren’t leading the way but are a measuring stick for men that can be used to judge the condition of men in general in America.This is because the same forces that affect him are usually more profound in relationship to his ability to deal with them because of his historical lack of status.For instance, black men (and poor men) have been struggling with issues of masculinity from the moment they came to America.Why? Because any man knows that masculinity and a steady paycheck go hand in hand. I mean if… Read more »
Rick…I realized I didn’t answer your central question, so I will give you my opinion. I don’t know exactly what the future holds as I believe there are multiple scenarios that can play out. I think what needs to happen, unfortunately, is something major that cuts through the bullshit, that galvanizes Americans across the lines that divide us. It must be something major and it must be painful because American is a culture of dynamic change;there is nothing subtle about it. Major events, like WW2 which quite unintentionally, moved along race relations and women’s rights are a prime example of… Read more »
ogwriter–I’m in love with you. I couldn’t have summed it up better. Other than tossing 800lb Medusas in the room and raising the BS flag on the blogosphere to challenge men and women to re-think the unilateralism of feminism, I feel helpless…the Army of One. This is exactly the milk-toast attitude that I’ve been trying to challenge “I’m mad as hell…oh I’m sorry, was I talking too loud, I wasn’t trying to be abusive [or insensitive, or sexist, or FILL IN THE BLANK].” Look at the responses and you’ll see men on the defense. I’ve never seen so much milk-toast… Read more »
Joan…I’m glad you cannot see me blush… but if you look real hard. I’m stumped my dear-completely and utterly stumped at the lack of moral imperative and agency demonstrated by white men in this arena. To be fair, Bill Johnson who is black, isn’t much better at exposing or criticizing the hazards of unilateral feminism. He won’t criticize feminism at all acting instead as if it is the answer. For me, I can for the most part, read between the lines and yes, it is white men leading this particular charge, albeit from the rear in quiet voices. On a… Read more »
Good thing you can’t see me dance…because if you look real hard, I’ll be the one blushing. I noticed that same thing from Dr. Johnson, I liked the premise of his article, but his support of feminism clouds the male issue and the race issue. There almost needs to be a clear break from feminism to solve the race issues and the male issue. This is a perfect time to wake up white guys. Our ecomony is a mess, were coming out of a depression, the Euro is failing, housing market is still hasn’t recovered, unemployment, divorce rates, a general… Read more »
Joan…Speaking of bacon, I have a great recipe for a bacon and tuna fish sandwich. Fry up your bacon crispy and drain the fat on paper towels. The tuna, chunky albacore works best, should be mixed with Best Foods Sandwich Spread;you may want to use mayo,but it doesn’t taste as good as sandwich spread because it is not as sweet.The sweet salt taste is what makes it work. I don’t make it too wet or the bread gets soggy;yukk.I dice up purple onion and maybe red bell peppers to go in the tuna mix.I like to use fresh rustic sourdough… Read more »
Ogwriter–I’m not sure if you received my last reply, but thank you. It’s good advice (and looks like a good recipe too) I’ve grown to appreciate my limitations and know when my efforts are no longer bearing fruit. Then it’s time to recharge the batteries…not give up, just recharge. Many of these topics are passionate and personal for all of us.
But it is refreshing to connect with people who have been-there-done-that; it helps me.
Ogwriter … you said “This process can be expedited but I have little hope that it will happen. If I can be frank, I think white guys are blowing it, big time. The reason is due to their comparative position relative to other men in culture, they have the best chance of being heard and of helping others be heard but they are not very effective, if at all, at raising issues of concern about men. Name me one politician, from any party, that speaks of what’s happening to men and boy’s with a sense of urgency.” This is so… Read more »
Tom—I have to agree you too. On several occasions on this site, I’ve publicly disassociated myself from the feminist label. I get a maelstrom of woman pouncing on me and very few men willing to disassociate with the label. They back down and then they apologize with the “Well, I’m a feminist, but I don’t like this or that.” In my experience, feminism has become a synonym for sexism, opportunism, and unilateralism….to benefit women. I welcome women’s equal rights, but not feminism. The problem is most people co-mingle equal rights and feminism. They are two separate issues. The bigger problem… Read more »
well aint it a cryin shame
Tom B ..I have experienced this before, many times in fact.The black feminists narrative, as defined principally by bell hooks, on why young black men are in crisis says that it is because of the…wait for it…Their belief in the patriarchy. Just how she knows what every young black man is thinking I have yet to figure out. Feminist therapy first reared it’s head during the late 60’s and 70’s. My mothers therapist told her that her family was killing her and that she needed to divorce them in order to fulfill herself. This was very popular for a time… Read more »
@ogwriter … as a feminist he may very well have boxed himself into a corner. What I mean by that is that he’s positioned himself, as I see many feminists have done, where they run the chance of being shunned if he steps outside that feminist box. The box has become much larger, But when it comes down to it, I don’t care what any feminist says, there is a core of feminism that still exists no matter how forward thinking the feminist may want to appear. Let’s be honest, many feminists struggle with the “family” unit, mom, dad and… Read more »
Tom B… to be sure I am not saying that feminism is the only cause of problems that men of color face. However, like you said the effects over the last 30 years of the constant barrage of insults I heard growing up; all men ain’t shit, no black man can do anything for me, all black men are like Ike Turner or like the men in A Color Purple, What is interesting and frustrating to me is that Bill Johnson never touches this subject matter and I have not seen in his analysis any reference to what affects of… Read more »
Ogwriter … first things first. I’m kind of disappointed in the lack of dialogue with this topic, but not surprised. This is an important topic and look who’s responding? Where are the feminists? I was fortunate in that my parents were from a much older generation. When I was 20, my dad was in his 60’s. I was the youngest of 7. I guess that was to my benefit in that they weren’t subject to the feminism being pushed on families. Mom was happy being as she called it, “chief cook and bottle washer.” She ran the roost while my… Read more »
Tom B… Well, Tom, I can’t say that I am disappointed… not anymore. The road is too long, the mountain is too steep to allow for such luxurious distractions. As for waiting for feminists to step in and step up;why? They seem to only be interested in using black men as political footballs. The only kind of black-man they seem to appreciate to is like the President. That is to say, a black-man who doesn’t speak about what ails him or what ails black men. And if he does speak about what ails him , he shouldn’t take up too… Read more »
Tom B…You know man, I must apologize to you. I overreacted to what I perceived as an attack on the young men who I work with. I know the work you do and I respect that about you.It’s just that the image of these young-men is so egregiously mishandled by the press, like Fox News and MS.NBC and other institutions, that I feel compelled to come to their defense. In general, what the average American knows of the black male experience and how it relates to American history is abysmal.Yet, folks have lot’s of judgements about stuff they really don’t… Read more »
I see a lot of grass root organizing but as you said, funds are limited and accordingly, people spend what little money they have and help who they can, when they can. I struggle with what’s happening to youth in general. Between mixed signals (or no signals) lack of direction, we have a population of youth that’s drowning and don’t know it. They’ve been taught to live for the moment and don’t look to far past the now. History is a tool so that we don’t make the same mistakes over again. It’s a tool to teach us what works… Read more »
Oops, ogwriter … this was supposed to be at the beginning of what I siad above. @ogwriter, first off, you have nothing to apologize for in that I didn’t see and viciousness in your response. In fact, all of your responses are respectful. Actually, the community leaders I was referring to are not the young guys but the older guys who are in the lime light, center stage getting a lot of attention and I haven’t seen some of them do much of anything. Growing up in Chicago, I saw the “Machine” which is alive and well today. I know… Read more »
Tom B.. you are so right. We don’t lower the bar, either, at least the bball coaching staff doesn’t.These kids are capable and supremely talented and brave and strong.They want to get better, they want rules and limits and guidance.Mostly, they want someone to care. Right now we have a kid on the bball team who is 18 but until this year had never had played a minute of high school basketball.He is special ed, has some gang affiliations, has people looking for him who want to do him harm and want to keep him with them. When he walked… Read more »
Tom B…Where you at man,I miss you man;holla back when you can.
Hey ogwriter … I’m still here. Between a Joint Commission audit, slip and fall screwing up my left hand and right rotator cuff and getting ready for Lent, I’ve been kinda busy. Right arm is in a sling, left hand is in a brace …..Things are expected to settle down a little after the audit on Friday.
Chuck Ross…So, it’s ok to kill innocent people,put them to death,or in prison for life, paid for by the state. For real?This comment is supposed to represent intelligent, thoughtful and reasoned dialogue? In what country exactly?
Genocide is a systematic and deliberate eradication of a specific group. If most black men die at the hands of other black men who are unaffiliated with “the system” then how is this genocide? It’s just regular unfortunate violence.
And the vast majority of people who end up in prison (and who die by the death penalty) deserve to be incarcerated and/or punished for their affront to society.
The name of that is not “violence” it is called ” brainwash” , since slavery blacks have been brainwashed, that is why some of them kill other blacks or try to change their features to look like whites. But it does not matter, cause you don’t know what you are saying.
@Michelle .. curious, what do you mean by “change their future to look like whites?”
I gotta say that to tell a youngman he must defeat the system in order to be realized,in his life,in this time,is a crime beyond comprehension.Not to mention that children are not warriors.
Archy: The NAACP spawned the Civil Rights movement.The CV movements was NOT a movement only for black people.It was lead by blacks but it served many American,especially white feminists.
Bill: Most of these kids come from unstable homes in unstable communities.Their families are poorly planned,led by folks who are do not have the skills to be parents.They then perpetuate a reckless cycle.
Bill:With all due respect for courageously opening a can of nuclear worms,the solution is simple,the implimentation is problematic. These kids don’t need a miracle,they only need what everyother kid needs to grow up healthy;regardless of the patriarchy. They aren’t aliens. And telling these kids their problems are due to the influences of the patriarchy is useless.
Archy:I was amazed,though not anymore,at the similarties in perception by men across the racial divide of what ails them; in a word,or two,identity crisis.Blackmen are being marginalized in their communities just like white guys.
Archy: Well,Archy,to my knowledge,there is no such thing as blacktivists.Furthermore,in the US, there is no political movement focused on blacks. The truth struggles faced by blackmen,brownmen,etc.,are and whitemen are the same;the intensity and veracity are relative.
Ah, I thought there was NAACP (not sure if that’s it, my exposure is mainly from movies sadly) that helped out black men n women?
I’m not aware of any specific political group focused on the black male either, nor do I believe it is a political solution. The more we focus on race as a ‘political category’, the more disservice we do to men and women in general and stifle progress of Civil Rights. It is great to celebrate diversity and address trends affecting certain communities, but using race for political leverage is historically disastrous. White supremacy, black supremacy, brown supremacy, religious supremacy: one group overpowering another for political ends will not cure disposability of men, dysfunction in homes, breakdown of the family, lack… Read more »
Joan…whitesupremacy however,syptomatic of the disease, is not to be taken lightly.
Tom:These youngmen come from dysfunctional homes and communities.There is violence, substance abuse,lack of education,lack of money and mental health issues. Lastly,the black community has, like the white community, dangerously devalued men.
@ogwriter … My reference to lack of fathers was an example. The elimination of dads in communities took foot hold back when the welfare system made it more financially lucrative to pay for kids who did not have dads in the home. Obviously fatherlessness isn’t the only problem. Yes, there are many fatherless homes where kids have done well but the reality is that the cards are nonetheless stacked against them. I’m also still stuck on what these so called community leaders are doing to help these residents? As far as I can see it, no more then a lot… Read more »
I will try this again.In America all men are disposable,even white guys;they just don’t know it yet.Some are trying to understand this and some aren’t.
Tom B…I agree that we need to look at what is going on in the home.However,to say simply it is due to not having a father in the home doesn’t actually speak to what is going on in the home.Millions of kids are being successfully raised in single parent homes.
White men are just as disposable as blackmen,they just can’t see behind the veil,which was at least partially pulled back due to the economic “crisis”. Racism is a redherring that was used to cover up the fact that slavery was about legally taking money from people.
“…many of the deceased are African American males.” Killed at the hands of other black males!
Dr. Johnson needs to take some more time off – LOTS more time!
As a society, we really need to start valuing our criminals more.
I am legend is based on a 1954 novel by Richard Matheson. In the novel, the protagonist dies. It was made into the 1964 movie, The Last Man on Earth. In the movie, the protagonist dies. Vincent Price. It inspired the 1968 movie, Night of the Living Dead. In the movie, the protagonist dies. Duane Jones. It was made into the 1971 movie, The Omega Man. In the movie, the protagonist dies. Charlton Heston. It was made into the 2007 movie, I am Legend. In the movie, the protagonist dies. Will Smith. During its film career, the protagonist has twice… Read more »