The book Ghettoside by Jill Leovy is an analysis of crime statistics. The book shows that although African-American males are just 6% of the total population, they constitute 40% of those murdered in the United States (Leovy, 2015). Leovy narrows her analysis of murder cases and police investigations in South Los Angeles as an example of what happens in other urban areas that are dominantly occupied by poor African Americans. She also focuses on specific cases of murder, how the law enforcement reacted and the views of the relatives and friends of the victims. In 2013, Blacks accounted for 32% of all homicides in Los Angeles despite being 8% of the total population (Leovy, 2015). Leovy has been involved in homicide reporting for a long time,
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The murder of African American men by their fellow African Americans does not get the attention it deserves from the rest of the society in the United States since it is viewed as part of gang-related issues that are inevitable. The association of African Americans with violent gangs makes it impossible for people from other races to take the concerns of African Americans, in relation to homicide and conduct of law enforcers, …show more content…
Cases of homicide affecting African Americans are so common such they receive very little attention from the media. The common belief among many people in the United States is that African Americans are violent, and the killings are inevitable cases of gang violence. The book shows that even though the Blacks contribute to the majority of murder cases affecting their fellows, the problem is brought about by failures in the justice system. People engage in homicide as a way of revenge since the law enforcers have failed to bring the accused to justice. The Black community in poor neighborhoods has embraced gangs as an alternative to laws enforcers in providing justice through revenge. The book shows that unless the justice system in the affected areas is reformed, the number of African-American victims in homicide cases will continue to rise. This book is important in changing the perception of the causes of homicide among poor people and how the justice system can address the
The murder of African American men by their fellow African Americans does not get the attention it deserves from the rest of the society in the United States since it is viewed as part of gang-related issues that are inevitable. The association of African Americans with violent gangs makes it impossible for people from other races to take the concerns of African Americans, in relation to homicide and conduct of law enforcers, …show more content…
Cases of homicide affecting African Americans are so common such they receive very little attention from the media. The common belief among many people in the United States is that African Americans are violent, and the killings are inevitable cases of gang violence. The book shows that even though the Blacks contribute to the majority of murder cases affecting their fellows, the problem is brought about by failures in the justice system. People engage in homicide as a way of revenge since the law enforcers have failed to bring the accused to justice. The Black community in poor neighborhoods has embraced gangs as an alternative to laws enforcers in providing justice through revenge. The book shows that unless the justice system in the affected areas is reformed, the number of African-American victims in homicide cases will continue to rise. This book is important in changing the perception of the causes of homicide among poor people and how the justice system can address the