Criminalization of Black Men: Social Impact & Bias

I hate it when I hear Black people say, I wish Black lives mattered to Black people. White people kill White people, but I never hear White people say, I wish White lives mattered to White people. As Black people, we're constantly reminded and programed to think by the media and others that because of Black-on-Black crime, we as a people don't value our own lives. 

The media is guilty of reporting far more stories about Black-on-Black crime; satisfying and confirming many White viewers fears and prejudices about Black men in efforts to garner high ratings. These distorted portrayals of Black males perpetuates a narrative that Black neighborhoods and Black people are more dangerous than White people and White neighborhoods. This often fosters a notion that Black communities don't deserve the same kind of investments, or improvements as White ones. As a result, our properties are devalued, improvements and services to our communities are very seldom made, and many blue collared Blacks inevitably move to the suburbs--taking with them the only sustainable community investments.     

Contrary to what most people think, Black people don't have a monopoly on crime. Although if you listen to the media you might think otherwise. 

"As sick as it sounds, the criminalization of Black men in America seems to be one of America's favorite pastimes. Today, racists have taken extreme measures to exclude Blacks from even socializing in public places by simply calling 911 to have them arrested." 

White Americans have benefited tremendously from keeping valuable resources and investments out of Black neighborhoods. The common practice of redlining by banks and mortgage institutions led to the creation of the National Housing Act in 1937. The Fair Housing Act followed in 1968, but the damage to many Black communities had already occurred. The outcomes were systemic and are still being felt today, and highlighted by the media in their daily bias, and salacious commentary of Black crime. 

What they don't tell you is that the lack of community investment in disenfranchised neighborhoods trap the people who live in them, and has fueled poverty and left many Black neighborhoods in ruins. And while the media tries to remain liberal, their unbalanced perspective of Black men in many cases contributes to racial profiling by the police, stereotypes and creates a more racist sociality.  

It is a sad truth, the American Dream was never meant for Black people. The thought that anyone could come to this country with nothing, work hard and be successful never materialized for many Black folks who were born here; yet faced discrimination around every corner. The ideal of hope and prosperity seemingly overshadowed by a country so filled with hate, that it elected a racist president to lead the nation and its promise of a better America for all people regardless of race, color or national origin. 

Racial equality will always be a challenge in America, but the media must do a better job with its portrayals of African-American males, and provide greater social context, and understanding for how their (the media's) impact on public opinion influences the lives of Black and Brown families.