Recent stabbings

[anotheoldgit]

We already have a problem with the increase in gun crime amongst the black population, but now over the last weeks have we seen a rise in fatal stabbings inflicted upon young black kids, by other black kids.

These incidences cannot be blamed on white on blacks racial attacks, so I don't think we can expect the root causes to be freely discussed by the media.

So perhaps we can have a honest debate of the likley reasons here on AB.

[Supernick]

Poverty, macho culture, insecurity about your place in society, perceived and real racism. All of these things lead to angry and aggressive young men. It's not limited to just young black men, but the above reasons cause a greater percentage of them to stray down that path.

[vehelpfulguy]

Maybe the unrestricted immigration (both legal and illegal) in the last 15 years is a lot to blame.

Trying to force people of different races, religions and colours to live together in such a short space of time is a lot of the cause.

Our goverments (Labour and Tory) of the last 20 years have allowed unrestricted immigration, and stuck their heads in the sand and refused to ever discuss it.

We are now getting the results of the seeds that have been sown for the last 20 years.

[sp1814]

There are quite a few problems facing young black men at the moment. To list just a few:

1. Lack of adult male role models
2. Lack of positive influences
3. Glamourisation of 'gangsta' culture
4. Low self esteem
5. Low educational attainment
6. Racism (yep...it's still in there, chart fans)
7. Lack of opportunities
8. Cycle of depravation

There are probably more factors, but what I'm trying to say is that there's so many different factors involved, that it's going to take a lot of very clever and very dedicated people a long time to tackle the underlying problems.

A good start would be the recognition of the absolutely crucial effect that a positive male role models have.

That would be a good start.

Also, there have been loads of articles about just this subject in The Independent, Times and Guardian...you just won't see much analysis in the popular press because the root causes are too complex for them to bother with.

[sp1814]

VHG

I don't understand your answer.

What on earth does immigration have to do with black on black crime?

If this were a story about interracial crime, I'd understand, but I think it's specious reasoning to lay everything at the door of immigration...especially where in all the cases I've read about thus far, the victims and perpetrators have been fourth or fifth generation British!!

[suffragette]

I really would like to understand why these young men seem to implode on their own group, when tensions in societies across the world usually lead one group to vent their fury, anguish or frustration upon people of a different race, culture or even economic group.

I think the pack mentalities and gang affiliations we see today, may develop when the adults in our society relinquish, avoid or refuse to take responsibilty for the behaviour of children and do not act as the stabilising and responsible force that nature intends them to be.

We may worship at the altar of youth today, but maybe this is inconsistent with our anthropological selves. Maybe adults and the wisdom of the elderly are far more important in the development of happy and fulfilled young lives than we realise or are prepared to admit in our modern, throwaway, western society.

[Supernick]

Every community has its demons and issues that need to be sorted out, and I do believe that there is a responsibility in the black community to address gang culture as a huge priority.

I agree with sp1814. Who are the black role models out there for kids? Footballers? Rappers? But how do we address this issue? I'll hold my hand up and say that I have absolutely no idea.

[starrs]

How the hell can you hope to get into the minds of these lawless scum when they resort to cold blooded murder if someone "disrespects" them.

I'm afraid society is going to get a lot worse and I honestly don't know how to tackle the problem.

[Mammar]

It's me again, Oldgit!
You've asked for the root causes of a specific problem and I think a couple of people (sp in particular) have covered it pretty well for you.
But I also notice that a couple of people have also very honestly put their hands up and admitted they have no idea of how to tackle the problem.
There's the crux of the matter.
We might be able to isolate the causes but what do we do about them?

[Fingerprint]

I actually think that the root of this problem is not specificly tied to the black community. I think the root of the problem is that we are failing our youth terribly in modern Britain. If you look at teenage pregnancy rates, teenage drug and alcohol abuse rates, teenage suicide rates and the level of contentment amongst teenagers across all racial groups they are all absolutely terrible compared to most other 1st world countries. This failure is just manifesting itself differently in the black community because the black community have a different history and different influences.

[Mammar]

Hooray, Fingerprint!
Spot on!
Any ideas for what we do about it? (Sorry Oldgit - I'm asking a question on your question. Forgive me? It just slipped out again!)

[kwicky]

There is probably an easy answer for the rise in black crime. This group have higher testosterone levels and when coupled with poverty, unemployment and overcrowding leads to violence. Don't just blame it on the parents!

[whiffey]

The situation is out of hand, and cannot be recovered. It is the behaviour of a culture. Single parent families are more of a norm than a rarity, there is general rancour and resentment ('chip on the shoulder').

And British Society has failed them ? What a load of cack. Every human being after a certain age knows what is right and what is wrong. If you hit someone it hurts them, if you stab someone it kills them. We have a multi-ethnic Britain, and we will now see all the associated foibles that come with the advancement of society. Kingston Jamaica and Kingston Surrey, what is the difference.

Stabbing and Murder are simply wrong, and those doing it know it. Good Old Britain. We'll find a politically correct way to explain it away, but I wish sometimes the word Evil could be used.

[Fingerprint]

Whiffey, it's got nothing to do with political correctness. It's a fact that if you compare British teenage pregnancy rates, drug and alcohol abuse rates, suicide rates and contentment rates accross all ehtnic groups against other 1st world countries they are shocking. It's all very easy to blame people and say they should know what is right and wrong but in reality you have to look much deeper than that and analyse why these problems are so much worse in Britain than elsewhere.

[libertie]

Don't think the situation is being helped by all the negative press coverage out there either! Here in Scotland we have our share of violent knife and gun crime the only difference is that it is not happening in the black community, it is however happening in the poorest areas of our cities...and that I suspect is the main root of the problem!

[Mammar]

Hope you were able to see breakfast tv just now when 4 friends of the black lad that was stabbed were interviewed. They spoke well and even they suggested that inadequate upbringing was one of the factors.
The expert speaking after them said we shouldn't blame parents but surely the best way to get through to an impressionable child is through its parents?

[libertie]

I personally didn't see it, but what an awful experience for the friends and family of anyone who dies like this, and how difficult it must be to try and lead a normal life afterwards! I take my hat of to all the people out there working in the community trying to help these kids find a purpose in life and trying to persuade them that society hasn't written them off!

[Gromit]

Hello anotheoldgit,

I am happy to allay you concerns about the number of black youths being stabbed. If you look at this handy link from the BBC you will notice that 10 whites have died over the past fortnight and only 3 blacks (The race of the Moss Side victim is uncertain). Hope this puts your mind at rest.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6467753.stm

[brionon]

Please don't tell me that Poverty is the cause. I'm one of 8 children and we were Poor . No money ,no sweets, nothing. None of us has turned to crime.

[sp1814]

Gromit

Good Lord!

Thank you for that link.