Shawn Williams’ Dallas Morning News Column: Black on Black Gun Violence
Categories: African-American, Featured, Shawn Williams
Written By: Shawn Williams
Here’s a gun violence column that I wrote for Dallas Morning News’ Sunday Points section. It’s already available online and Trey Garrison also wrote a column on the same subject which now available as well.
Trey and I often have a running version of Point/Counterpoint going on our blogs, but I figured we would probably see this one about the same way. Thanks to Sharon Grigsby for the opportunity.
SHAWN WILLIAMS: FIRST, ADMIT BLACK ON BLACK CRIME PROBLEM
(I don’t pick the titles but this one isn’t too bad)
Too often, African-Americans cover their ears when the talk turns to black homicide rates. Yet the statistics are beyond alarming: Blacks make up nearly half of this country’s murder victims, and nine out of 10 times those deaths are the result of a black hand squeezing the trigger of a gun.
It’s time that we talk about — and better understand — the factors at the core of the black-on-black violence that exists throughout the nation.
Some groups are doing just that. Projects like CeaseFire in Chicago, where community leaders intervene in conflicts and promote alternative solutions to violence. In the Dallas area, Vision Regeneration focuses on violence prevention, gang intervention and youth rehabilitation.
But the problem is not unique to South Dallas or Chicago’s South Side. Black neighborhoods all across this nation are wrestling with the same reality. The plots presented of life in Los Angeles by John Singleton’s Boyz N the Hood and in the Baltimore of David Simon’s The Wire exist in America’s largest cities and smallest towns.
Places such as Washington D.C., Philadelphia and San Francisco have tried to intervene by instituting various gun laws. But the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down key parts of a D.C. weapons ordinance are proof that government policy cannot be counted on to solve the problem. Nor should it be. The answer lies elsewhere.
Maybe the book Outliers is the place to start. There, author Malcolm Gladwell revisits the violent feuds of the Appalachian Mountains that resulted in the death of hundreds of men and made the Hatfields and McCoys part of American lore. Sociologists found that a “culture of honor” was at the root of what seemed only to be a series of misunderstandings and property disputes.
Similarly, I would argue that a “culture of disrespect” exists among African-American males — a disrespect for authority, disrespect for women and disrespect for one another.
It’s almost cliche to point toward the music industry and its glorification of violence to illustrate this truth. Disregard and incivility are as much a part of today’s urban music as the T-Pain voice effect. Hip-hop stations support their listeners by offering free gas and school supplies with one hand, while using the other to slap them down with provocative misogynistic lyrics.
Some of our best community advocates work for — or are associated with — these stations. They should be leading the fight to clean up the airwaves.
More than anything, we must teach black boys from birth to respect other black boys and black men. But first these youngsters must learn to value their own lives, which may aid them in decisions they later make in regard to others.
Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers and Malcolm X were murdered because of the difference they would have made if they had continued to live. Today, young black men are killed because their assailants feel that it makes no difference if they die.
Especially because of the absence of men in so many youngsters’ lives, adults must pay careful attention to interactions between boys, starting in preschool. It’s important to teach them early to respect personal space and to be mindful of when to keep their hands to themselves. Yes, boys will be boys, but smacking a friend in the head today could lead to punching him in the mouth a few years later. The next time somebody could pull out a gun.
Also, civil rights organizations, including the NAACP and National Action Network, should strengthen their local organizations to address the violence in the very communities that they are charged with serving. They should show the same contempt for juvenile misconduct as police misconduct.
There have been instances — such as the Dunbar Village public housing rape case in West Palm Beach, Fla., in 2007 — in which civil rights groups have claimed that black-on-black violence is “outside the scope of our mission.” If that is indeed true, it’s high time for an updated mission.
The fight for equal employment opportunities, equal salaries and equal access to education is as important as they have ever been. But none of that matters when a young man is shot and killed on his way to work or school.
To suggest that African-Americans are born with some sort of natural proclivity for violence — as many white supremacist and hate groups claim — is absurd. But as was the case in 1800s Appalachia, we must look carefully below the surface if we are to comprehend the senseless violence that plagues 21st-century black America.
Most of all, we cannot solve the problem if we refuse to acknowledge that there is one.
July 18th, 2009 at 8:35 am
“culture of disrespect” - RESPECT is a gift not something to be earned.. Because with that attitude men will not respect another man unless he “feels” like it is justified.
July 18th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Shawn, God bless you for writing this piece. I love your thoughtful work and this is one.
As a guy myself who has watched the rise of gun violence in my time, and black on black violence become endemic in low income black neighborhoods… and as a man who grew up with decent people as role models ,,,and as a man who has had guns in my face, neck, back and stomach ,,,,guns held by black men who had that look in their eyes that showed no feeling for themselves or me…I vowed to step in as one man and be part of the solution.
I volunteer at Youth Conflict Resolution Services at the MLK L Library on MLK in South Dallas in conjunction with Diana Clark who spearheads these efforts though Mediation Services and the city courts, etc. I speak on communication skills…making your voice count and people listen, etc. The power of education vs. a gun.
I went to Alex Spence Jr. High in East Dallas and the violence there 50 years ago was staggering. But it went unreported, because no one cared. A guy shot to death at the 8th grade dance, or was he stabbed…. I almost went nuts and almost ballistic. There for the grace of God go I….
Thanks Shawn. Your ability to reason and be heard is substantial.
http://www.youngmediators.org/about_us.html
July 19th, 2009 at 8:07 am
A problem with youth in our community Is that adults and educators continue to preach to youth about don’t use violence, don’t do drugs, be peaceful but they are not given the tools to address every day conflict. Just saying don’t hit does not work. It’s deeper than that. Until our youth are shown that their life is worth something, taught about goals, taught there Is a way to respect space or get out of a bad situation, youth crime will continue. At Youth Conflict Resolution Services, we start by teaching youth self worth first then equip them with methods of getting out that anger or dealing with a conflict in turn hoping they stop and think before reaching for a gun. Communication is key. The African American community and organizations should start partnering to address youth crime.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I decided to read your column before Treys.
It really enjoyed it. I only had one thought, it seems like we hear about teaching black kids to respect other black kids etc. I think it’s a shame that we divide even that. We should teach all kids to respect all people.
I no longer feel like 95% of the population judges people on the color of their skin. I feel like they are judged on the content of their character. I think it’s important that we stress education and role models. I think that’s some of what you are saying in this column.
I saw something on CNN the other day that disturbed me it was a ABC 123 style program but it was done to rap music, but the english was broken up too…like some rap music. They said it was geared towards black kids and applauded the program. I feel like we are selling black kids short… why would we applaud an education platform that is in broken english, and instills rap as a main stay in childrens lives… which then progresses to adult life, and not to sound cliche… but I will just quote your column from there.
Years ago when I was in bands I would say “dude” all the time, it was horrible. When I would go in for job I would say it. Not surprisingly I washed a lot of dishes and parked a lot of cars. I guess my point is we should help kids to understand that education truly is the answer. Music is fun, but slang terminology can start you down a road that’s hard to turn off of.
John Jay
July 20th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Thanks for the article. We should understand that first of all there is plenty of koncious hiphop out there that doesn’t promote killing each other and gettin drunk, etc. etc. The slophop that is currently being played on so-called black radio and being played in the ears of our youth unedited on whatever devices - is killing us.
We must organize to put a stop to garbage. In chicago, for instance we have contest on local radio stations featuring lil shame (wayne) who encourage our children to perform oral sex on each other and brag about how is glock has gone crazy. Until we organize nationally to put a stop to this ignorance - we will continue down this current spiral of destruction.
peace
July 24th, 2009 at 8:43 am
This is such an important topic for us to dwell on Shawn so I thank you for keeping it in the spotlight. At the root of all of it is the topic we also hate to address head-on i.e self-hate, a condition that permeates the African American Community.
Its what’s at the root of us failing to patronize Black businesses, wanting not to live in Black communities, not supporting Black cultural institutions, not making sure our children know their Black history and a host of other things that promote self-love.
Respect can only be obtained when we as a people begin to respect who we are in total. I am appalled at how many of our children don’t even have a cursory knowledge of the rich and ancient history of Black people, not to mention recent history.
Ask them if they even know who Medgar Evans is? And how much do they really know about Dr. King other than that he had a dream? The violence is simply a symptom of this greater lack: lack of knowledge of self and its subsequent consequence: self-love.
July 25th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Excellent article.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:11 am
African Americans have admitted to the problem of “Black on Black” crime a long time ago.
The problem is that as a community -WE DON”T KNOW what to do about it.
When it comes to violent crime and predatory crimes - we have to develop tools that focus on EMOTIONAL well-being –people are committing these crimes because they FEEL BAD.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Is it really about “cultural disrespect” or is it “survival”? Either way, we have a problem and how do we get our young black men to realize that there is “hope” for a better life. We need to do more outreach and that includes our churches.
August 2nd, 2009 at 5:53 pm
TEACHING THE VALUES OF PEACE
By: Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney
As a Cherokee Native American Activist and a former member of the Richmond California Violence Prevention Movement, I have seen close to 515 homicides in the City of Richmond from 2001 to the present.
The declaration of a ‘war on violence’ by the Richmond city government was not the panacea, instead it failed miserably.
I have often stated in town hall meetings and on television, the best way to win the ‘war on violence’ in Richmond is to ‘TEACH THE VALUES OF PEACE’.
In the killing fields of Richmond, most of the victims of homicides are youth or young adults. Teaching the values of peace begins with our youth and young adults. From a Native perspective, winning the war on violence begins in the home with a strong, spiritual belief and value system.
We believe that Creator made all generations, past, present and those of the future, holy people. This is what our Elders teach us from the time we are born.
Our families and Elders teach our young people that they must tear away the images and stereotypes that mainstream society has placed upon them as Native peoples.
Violence and killing is not traditional in Native culture, it is a learned behavior from mainstream society.
We teach our youths not to attack, punish or beat themselves up for crimes that they have never committed in regards to racism. Our Elders and families teach our young people to have good self-esteem, self-worth and self-value, for as the original holy people this was Creators plan.
Native people know that it is both family and community responsibility to teach the values of peace to our young people.
We teach our young people honesty and accountability concerning violence. It begins with accepting responsibility for self and acknowledging any past use of violence.
Admitting any wrongdoing, communicating openly and truthfully to renounce the use of violence in the future places our youth on the right path. We place a heavy emphasis that all life is sacred.
The final lesson in teaching the values of peace is quite simple. It is helping young people understand their relationship to others and all things in Creation.
Be responsible for your role, act with compassion and respect, and remember ALL LIFE IS SACRED. Native culture is prevention!
Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney
August 4th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Blacks don’t contain their violence to blacks alone. Shaun Williams does his best to ‘Keep it Real’ by concerning himself with black victims exclusively. His assertion that black boys need to respect other black boys without mentioning the need for them to respect society (This means white men as well) as a whole is problematic.
As long as there are men like Mr. Williams who concern themseves with just the unfortunate black victims of black crime, they’ll be white men who believe that “black on black” crime is the most desirable kind.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:34 am
How about teachin young black boyz to respect ALL life. NOT just other blacks. And dont forget to mention ALL the other BLACK ON WHITE hate crimes being perpetuated against whites. Or is this the wrong forum to mention this ???
August 5th, 2009 at 12:44 am
Yes, this article totally igrored nearly HALF of the victims of black crime, which are people other than black. It’s popular these days to diminish, disrespect, and degrade white people and white MEN especially. When a white many is killed by a black man (or men), it is either brushed aside or secretly celebrated in the black community and in the media. I have even heard black men say they “almost” like it when a white person is killed, because now they “get to know what it’s like.” Look what happened in a famous case where a black man brutally killed two white people, the black community celebrated joyously when O.J. was let off. Whenever a black person is rightfully charged with a crime against a white person, the black community and media (Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson) rally behind the CRIMINALS and not the white VICTIM like in the Jenna 6 case. Six blacks brutally beat a white classmate, yet 50,000 come to support the criminal! Yet when a black person makes a false claim against innocent white people, like in the Duke Lacrosse Hoax, the black community rallies behind the black fake victim! There is a long way to go to solve the problem of black violence. Maybe if you actually address the epidemic of black crime against other races, then you can solve the problem of blacks committing violence against each other. Just a thought.