There are many different opinions about race and crime in America. The relationship between the two has been a public debate for decades now. Still, some argue that there’s no correlation whatsoever due to differing rates across racial groups and other factors like socioeconomic status, among others.
While it is true that the over-representation of certain minorities in our criminal justice system cannot be explained by socioeconomic factors alone, poor socioeconomic standing does play a part.
For example, racial minorities who live near poverty or experience exposure to these neighborhoods early on are more likely than others (especially those with white privilege) to grow up and join this group because their lives have been shaped accordingly through societal neglect at best, oppression/racism most often.
The 2019 annual report on crime in the United States provides crucial insights into our society’s most pressing issues. One such issue is homicide, which accounts for thousands of deaths each year and has roots deep within America’s history as a divided country. Yet, still today, we find ourselves struggling to come together despite those divisions.
Following races have committed the most crimes in recent years.
Homicide
African-Americans accounted for 55.9% of all homicide offenders in 2019, with whites 41.1% and “Other” 3%. Among those cases where the race was known among murder victims last year, 54-7 percent were black or African American. In comparison, 42 remained white, and over three percent who had other races reported to police at some point during their lifetime before death.
Assault
The Nonfatal Injury Report is a report from the CDC that details data on non-fatal injuries emergency department visits. Victims’ race accounts for about half (49%) of total assault cases involving any weapon, but most don’t involve firearms; white males are responsible for around 45%, while blacks account for only 11%. When it comes down specifically, though, when these attacks happen with recording their races – 6.5 million victims were white non-Hispanic, 4.3 million black, 2.3 million Hispanic, and 0.4 million other (non-Hispanic). For 3.8 million, the race was not recorded.
Robbery
According to a 2002 National Crime Victimization Survey, white people are 13 times more likely than black victims. Their assailants share similar features, such as being young adults in hooded sweatshirts or jeans.
Visit our blog section to learn more about the relationship between race and crime.
