Black Homicide and the Urban Environment Final Report

• NCJ Number: 80991
• Author(s): H M Rose
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 595 pages
• Grant Number(s): 5 R01 MH 29269-02
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The study seeks to identify patterns of black urban homicides and risks of homicide victimization during the 1970's to facilitate understanding of the recent upsurge in homicides within many large black communities.

Abstract

Data on black homicides in six cities -- Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis -- were taken from the Supplementary Homicide Reports of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and from records of local health departments. Structured interviews were conducted with samples of offenders, victims' next-of-kin, and victims' spouses in each city. Findings showed that black-on-black homicide is a major cause of death among black Americans, especially black males. The emergence of this phenomenon is attributed to the weakening commitment of black youths to the values of their parents and the incongruence between perceived and actual opportunity in the urban economy. Black communities have been unable to protect themselves by screening out influences that contribute to patterns of deviancy. With these changes, homicide has become not only the result of uncontrollable passion, but, the report contends, an outgrowth of avarice and narcissism. The study notes that black males born since 1945 are in the cohort most likely to fall victim to homicide. The study also correlates black homicide rates to population movements, specific high-risk urban environments, the oppressed and vulnerable life situation of black females, employment and health status, and values and use of leisure time. Measures recommended to curb black homicides include promotion of research efforts, public support of such actions as gun control to lower risk, and development of an acceptable opportunity structure for blacks. Improvement of educational programs for blacks, promotion of alternatives to deviant life styles, and control of factors, such as drugs, which contribute to crime risk are also needed. A review of pertinent literature and separate bibliographies for each chapter are supplied.