Blacks in U.S. imprisoned at 5 times the rate of whites

[Heracles 417]

What is that culture? Who defines it and how is it/was it shaped?

For example, most Asian parents push their child's education first and make a lot of sacrifices for them to go to school. Whereas in other American cultures hip-cop and rapping is seen as the only way to success; therefore education and attendance at school means little. Cultural differences.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

So what is your conclusion? Do you think it's a difference on a biological level (that being born Black, one is more inclined to crime)?

The difference is cultural. Being born into the African American culture -- whether white

or black -- one is more likely to become a criminal.

What is that culture? Who defines it and how is it/was it shaped?

African American Culture

As a part of a broad society it would be wrong even to suggest that culture is a root cause - as cultures aren't forged in a social vacuum but are certainly influenced by the wider goings on in society. Certainly some aspects of it (subcultural issues) may perpetuate negative attitudes and behaviours; and segregation, while no longer an official government policy, is still very much alive and still pervades the thinking of a lot of people (from every ethnic community).

[one...two...tree 2,762]

African American Culture

Well here we go!

Their culture begins with Africans who were held as slaves in America. Although the ability of these slaves to practice their cultural traditions was greatly restricted, some of those traditions survived by being blended with elements of American culture.

After emancipation these uniquely African-American traditions continued to grow. While African Americans were no longer bound by slavery, African-American culture often developed separately from mainstream American culture because of the persistence of racial segregation in America. Consequently African-American culture has become a significant part of American culture and yet remains a distinctly unique culture apart from it. Music, art, literature, religion, food, holidays, and many other elements of American culture derive influence from African-American culture. Additionally, African-American culture draws many of these same elements from other American ethnic groups and from African cultures.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_culture

...kind of difficult to remove the historical race factors in all of this now isn't it? It'd be great if we were all color blind, but we're not.

[mawilson 2,133]

...kind of difficult to remove the historical race factors in all of this now isn't it? It'd be great if we were all color blind, but we're not.

Of course there are historical factors -- you need a Wikipaedia page to tell you that?

How long are they going to keep bringing up the past and blame the white man for

all their problems, and consider that maybe, just maybe, some of their problems are

self-inflicted?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Because like it or not the past colors the present - and not in a vague, theoretical "blame everyone for your problems" kind of way. The economic disparities between different ethnic groups (most specifically for those who live overwhelmingly in inner-city areas) are the still unresolved fallout of the country's past.

As for reasons I don't think the point should be assigning blame to anyone - but rather recognising that for all the rhetorical mantras about 'being successful through hard work' and 'personal responsibility' that we live in a far less egalitarian society than many people would like to believe.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

...kind of difficult to remove the historical race factors in all of this now isn't it? It'd be great if we were all color blind, but we're not.

Of course there are historical factors -- you need a Wikipaedia page to tell you that?

How long are they going to keep bringing up the past and blame the white man for

all their problems, and consider that maybe, just maybe, some of their problems are

self-inflicted?

We just celebrated the 40th anniversary when the Supreme Court ruled that banning interracial marriages is unconstitutional. The African American culture exists BECAUSE they were separated and marginalized from the rest of society for a long time. Segregation existed less than 50 years ago.

Good question...how long does it take for history to no longer be relevant? Maybe we should ask the Jews?

Edited July 19, 2007 by Mister Fancypants

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Oh no, not the Jews!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Oh no, not the Jews!

...and their victim mentality...oye-vay!

[smoke20 0]

Oh no, not the Jews!

...and their victim mentality...oye-vay!

this from the guy that nuthuggs on illegal immigrants "coz they're just trying to get a better life" aahhh whimper whimper sniffle sniffle

Edited July 19, 2007 by smoke20

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

smoke20 -

turn sarcasm detector ON.

[peejay 327]

The thing that stuck out like a sore thumb from this article was that the worst ratios were in the liberal Northern Blue states whose occupants often snear at the South in a condescending Holier-than-Thou manner and often have never even traveled or lived in the South.

Appears to me the sneering goes both ways.

It's not a snear...it's an observation from several years of reading posts here on VJ. It really is quite noticable.

Even though I was born in the South, I do not have the heritage of the Old South as my ancestors were from elsewhere. So I'm not making this observation as a true Son of the South. I call 'em like I see 'em.

Peejay, based on your observations, why do you suppose the great disparity? What about divisions along economic lines? Educational background? The Bell Curve showed a disparity of intelligence along ethnic lines, but drawing any conclusions that racial ethnicity has any bearing on intelligence from a biological point of view is erroneous.

The thing that stuck out like a sore thumb from this article was that the worst ratios were in the liberal Northern Blue states whose occupants often snear at the South in a condescending Holier-than-Thou manner and often have never even traveled or lived in the South.

I have no idea what the reasons for these disparities are, but these stats seem to create more questions than answers. There are too many variables in data to come up with a trend.

I'm sure there are some on VJ with more time on their hands than me that can track it down.

This is what I wrote earlier in the thread. It pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject.

Edited July 19, 2007 by peejay

[smoke20 0]

smoke20 -

turn sarcasm detector ON.

sorry i don't see a place for sarcasm or jokes when your talking race, religion, or ethnic cleansing.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The thing that stuck out like a sore thumb from this article was that the worst ratios were in the liberal Northern Blue states whose occupants often snear at the South in a condescending Holier-than-Thou manner and often have never even traveled or lived in the South.

Appears to me the sneering goes both ways.

It's not a snear...it's an observation from several years of reading posts here on VJ. It really is quite noticable.

Even though I was born in the South, I do not have the heritage of the Old South as my ancestors were from elsewhere. So I'm not making this observation as a true Son of the South. I call 'em like I see 'em.

Peejay, based on your observations, why do you suppose the great disparity? What about divisions along economic lines? Educational background? The Bell Curve showed a disparity of intelligence along ethnic lines, but drawing any conclusions that racial ethnicity has any bearing on intelligence from a biological point of view is erroneous.

The thing that stuck out like a sore thumb from this article was that the worst ratios were in the liberal Northern Blue states whose occupants often snear at the South in a condescending Holier-than-Thou manner and often have never even traveled or lived in the South.

I have no idea what the reasons for these disparities are, but these stats seem to create more questions than answers. There are too many variables in data to come up with a trend.

I'm sure there are some on VJ with more time on their hands than me that can track it down.

This is what I wrote earlier in the thread. It pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject.

I had a college professor who was critical of modern historians. He saw a trend which he called the scientization of history, an attitude that indisputible facts make up history, as if history writes its own story. The right questions are not being asked, so a lot of assumptions and conclusions are made. Assumptions, conclusion, interpretations are inescapable. Your article implies that it is telling a story but insists it's not...just giving the facts.

[mawilson 2,133]

Good question...how long does it take for history to no longer be relevant? Maybe we should ask the Jews?

Excellent -- let's ask the Jews.

The Jews went from victim to perpetrator in less than 50 years -- look how

successful the state of Israel is today, despite facing an existential threat

and being constantly under attack.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Good question...how long does it take for history to no longer be relevant? Maybe we should ask the Jews?

Excellent -- let's ask the Jews.

The Jews went from victim to perpetrator in less than 50 years -- look how

successful the state of Israel is today, despite facing an existential threat

and being constantly under attack.

What kinds of reparations were given to the Blacks after slavery was abolished?